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Cherry blossom parade princesses watering
a newly planted cherry tree
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On March 27th, 1996, the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River
Basin signed an agreement creating a partnership with various organizations
of the Arakawa River in Japan. The Arakawa, which originates on
scenic Mount Kobushi in the Saitama Prefecture then flows into Tokyo
Bay is now the Potomac's "Sister River." The ICPRB and
a committee composed of the Japan Cherry Blossom Association, government
agencies, and corporate sponsors in Japan have agreed to foster
an information and cultural exchange between the people of the two
river basins. It is hoped that the exchange will function much like
the many sister city agreements now in place between cities around
the world.
Although these two rivers which flow through their respective nation's
capitols are half a world apart, their common link is the cherry
tree. The cherry blossoms which adorn both river valleys beautifully
are one strong bond in this international friendship. In the words
of the Japan Cherry Blossom Association "May these two river
basin communities become a nursery for fertile, friendly ties between
Japan and the United States."
For more information on the Arakawa River, visit the Arakawa
River Association.
For more information on cherry blossoms visit:
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