Photo/Illutration Shojiro Mori participates in a ceremony to plant rare Lebanese cedar saplings at Kinuta Park in Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward on Dec. 17 to celebrate 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Lebanon. (Eiichiro Nakamura)

Two Lebanese cedar saplings, native to the Middle East, were brought across the world and planted in Tokyo’s Kinuta Park on Dec. 17 to celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and Lebanon.

The effort began more than two years ago with the discovery of a tree mistakenly identified as a rare Lebanese cedar in Setagaya Ward.

However, the passion and effort of local residents brought authentic saplings from Lebanon to Tokyo, despite the worsening military conflict in the Middle East.

Under a clear blue sky, around 40 people, including Lebanese Embassy officials and local residents, gathered for the planting ceremony.

They dug small holes in the grassy field of the park and planted the 50-centimeter saplings.

Shojiro Mori, 83, who lives near the park, watched with a warm smile.

Mori had moved to Setagaya Ward about 40 years ago.

He grew fond of the lush, 390,000-square-meter Kinuta Park and began walking there daily.

In May 2022, while taking a different route than usual, he came across a magnificent cedar tree in the park by a sign that read “Lebanese cedar.”

‘WHY IS A LEBANESE CEDAR HERE?’

Lebanese cedars are known for their durability and have long been valued as high-quality timber.

However, Tatsuhiko Matsuyama, a librarian at International Christian University, said that deforestation has greatly reduced their natural habitat, and the species is now considered endangered.

He added that in Tokyo, Lebanese cedars can only be found in a handful of locations, including the university and Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.

“Why is there a Lebanese cedar here?” Mori wondered.

He knew the tree was rare and valuable as he has spent time in the Middle East during his career at a trading company.

Curious, Mori contacted the park for answers but found little information.

Experts conducted a thorough investigation and discovered that the tree was not actually a Lebanese cedar at all, but a Himalayan cedar, a species from the same pine family.

Mori shared this discovery with an acquaintance, and was introduced to Bachir BouRached, 40, an economic attache at the Lebanese Embassy.

After hearing the details, Bachir suggested, “Then, let’s bring an authentic one from Lebanon.”

This was the beginning of the planting project.

OVERCOMING MANY HURDLES

Negotiations with the Tokyo metropolitan government were difficult because parks managed and cared for by the metropolitan government generally do not accept donations.

Further complicating the effort, conflict between Hezbollah and Israeli forces worsened Lebanon’s domestic situation.

To make matters worse, Bachir went back to his home country for a job transfer. 

Even so, Mori said, “I want to carry on Bachir’s wish” and continued to convey the value of the Lebanese cedar to Tokyo officials.

In May this year, Bachir returned to Japan with the saplings.

After extensive discussions involving the Lebanese Embassy and Foreign Ministry, the Tokyo metropolitan government finally approved the planting in October.

The planting ceremony was held as part of an event celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In October, the central government announced a $10 million (1.5 billion yen) emergency grant to Lebanon.

Conflict continues in the region, but Nidal Yahya, the Lebanese ambassador to Japan who attended the ceremony, expressed hope that the saplings “will become a symbol of friendship between Japan and Lebanon.”

“The Lebanese cedar is considered a ‘revered tree’ in our country,” he said.

Mori said, “The Lebanese cedar is a rare species with a rich history, and planting it also holds significance from an environmental conservation perspective.”

“I hope it grows as a symbol of peace,” he said.

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