26 December 2022
THE planting ceremony of Japanese cherry saplings donated by the Japan-Myanmar Cultural Promotion Association took place in the precinct of Maravijaya Buddha Image in Dekkhinathiri Township, Nay Pyi Daw Union Territory yesterday morning.
Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Ko Ko, deputy ministers U Kyaw Myo Htut, U Aye Tun and Dr Moe Zaw Htun, senior military officers, directors-general and officials attended the ceremony, and Mr Hiromichi Watanabe, member of House of Representatives of Japan, JMCPA Chairman Mr Fumio Usui and officials were also present at the occasion.
Union Minister U Ko Ko showed off his hope that the JMCPA-donated seedlings planted in the precinct of Maravijaya Buddha Image will provide shade and peace of mind to pilgrims upon completion of building the Buddha Image. He expressed his firm belief that it will be a monument between Myanmar and Japan. The Myanmar government places an emphasis on friendly relations with the Japanese government and its people. Moreover, Myanmar wishes for the longterm existence of friendly relations and mutual cooperation between Myanmar and Japan in the future, he added.
Afterwards, Mr Hiromichi Watanabe gave his remark.
Then, the Union minister, Mr Hiromichi Watanabe, JMCPA Chairman Mr Fumio Usui and officials planted the Japanese cherry blossom seedlings and fed fertilizer.
Next, Union Minister U Ko Ko, Mr Hiromichi Watanabe and participants took a documentary photo together and viewed round progress of building Maravijaya Buddha Image.