As an Emeritus Board Member of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, I was honored to be invited to design this year’s 2025 Official Collectible Lapel Pin. This year’s pin marks the 113th anniversary of the Gift of Trees to the US from Japan and represents the thousands of flourishing cherry blossom trees that surround the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC and beyond. The blue swirls in the design signify the energy and beauty of the Potomac River and the excitement this annual festival brings. I have spent over three-decades promoting US-Japan friendship and grassroots exchange through my work with the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program, the Japan-America Societies, and my personal connections through friends and family. This pin embodies and celebrates these lifelong ties. To learn more about the extensive (and many free) programs during this year’s festival, please visit: https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/. To order your own NCBF 2025 Lapel Pin, visit the NCBF Shop here.