Photo/Illutration An Oshima cherry tree planted in November 2020 is seen on March 10, 2022, in Osaka’s Tsurumi Ward. (Shoichiro Inoue)

OSAKA--Organizers of the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo have fallen way behind in their goal to ensure that the international event is filled with cherry blossoms.

They started collecting donations for a cherry tree program in spring 2020 to generate momentum and build excitement for 2025 event.

But donations by March 8 totaled around 35 million yen ($286000), less than 20 percent of the target of 255 million yen for 2,025 cherry trees.

The program’s steering committee, comprising such entities as Osaka Prefecture, Osaka city and the Expo ’90 Foundation, had predicted that all 2,025 cherry trees would be planted by March this year, mainly in the prefecture.

The contributions received can cover only 230 cherry trees. So far, 247 trees have been set up, including 178 through the donations.

Under the plan, individual donations will be used to install 1,700 trees, while the remaining 325 will be planted on land owned by private companies that support the project.

So far, 1,388 individuals have donated 29.7 million yen, and 143 businesses have chipped in 5.2 million yen.

With only three years left before the April 13 start of the expo, organizers are scrambling to gain more donations.

An organizer said the committee has been unable to hold public relations campaigns for the cherry tree program because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The official also said potential donors may be reluctant to part with their money amid the economic uncertainties stemming from the spread of the novel coronavirus.

In mid-March, before the start of the cherry blossom season, a corner of the Flower Expo Memorial Park Tsurumi Ryokuchi in Osaka’s Tsurumi Ward was waiting for the arrival of cherry saplings.

About 60 cherry trees are expected to be planted in the park, which is popular among families on weekends.

Donations can be made through bank transfers if the contribution form is downloaded from the website of the Expo ’90 Foundation. Contributions can also be made online.

Plates showing the names of those who donate 10,000 yen will appear on the trees.

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