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Park in Tokyo: The cherry blossom stands for new beginnings
Photo: Philip Fong / AFP
The cherry blossom in Japan has shifted further and further forward over the past decades, new analyzes show.
According to this, the flowering reached its peak this year on March 26th - earlier than ever since the year 812, report researchers from the Japanese University in Osaka.
In previous years, the flowers tended to sprout earlier and earlier - probably a consequence of ongoing climate change.
The records of the cherry blossom in Japan go back more than 1200 years.
The cherry blossom was even documented in court files
Because it is not only beautiful to look at, but also of cultural importance.
In surviving diary entries there are detailed descriptions of the cherry blossom, and it was even recorded in court files.
Sakura is what the Japanese call the famous cherry blossom.
The time when the trees on the island state are a subtle pink is considered the high point of spring.
The event stands for female beauty and also for new beginnings.
Cherry blossom festivals are celebrated everywhere.
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In Japan, the traditional cherry blossom festivals are celebrated at this time
Photo: Kiichiro Sato / AP
The cherry trees bloomed particularly early this year in Kyoto.
The spring there was unusually warm this year.
A trend that has become more and more apparent over the past few decades.
However, the previous record was centuries ago.
In 1409, the cherry blossom peaked on March 27th - one day after the current record.
Japan wants to become climate neutral by 2050
But the cherry blossom has been pushing forward since 1800, from the end of April to the middle of the month.
The fact that the peak has now been reached at the end of March means a new peak.
In Hiroshima, the cherry blossom began this year on March 11, eight days earlier than the previous record from 2004.
Climate protection activists had recently increased the pressure on the government in Tokyo to be more ambitious in terms of climate policy.
In 2018, the world's third largest economy was the sixth largest emitter of greenhouse gases, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Japan is one of the signatory states to the Paris Climate Agreement.
The country wants to become climate neutral by 2050.
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