Ambassador Sumi participated in Sakura Planting Ceremony in Zhytomyr

　 On April 25 Ambassador Sumi and his wife visited Zhytomyr at the invitation of the Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Regional Development, Construction and Housing of Ukraine Hennadii Zubko and participated in the ceremony of planting 11 sakura trees in Mykhailivska Str. together with the Vice Prime Minister Zubko and his wife, Head of Zhytomyr Regional State Administration Ihor Hundych and Zhytomyr City Mayor Serhii Sukhomlyn and his wife.
　 Vice Prime Minister Zubko and Mayor Sukhomlyn said that the trees were planted as a local initiative in commemoration of the Year of Japan in Ukraine. The officials thanked the Government of Japan for its considerable support, including provision of medical equipment after the Chernobyl disaster and Project for Modernization of Bortnychi Aeration Station, and expressed hopes for further assistance and investment from Japan. In turn, Ambassador Sumi said that sakura was a symbol of friendship between Japan and Zhytomyr and thanked the city for its initiative to plant the trees celebrating the Year of Japan. He also noted that G7 countries, including Japan, support the territorial integrity of Ukraine, which is also stated in the G7 Foreign Ministers' Joint Communiqué.