Erbil, Iraq – 17 March 2021

Sardar Group and Toyota Iraq participated in the annual Fukushima Sakuramori
Project (Cherry Blossom Tree) planting ceremony for the third year in a row. The
event took place on Jiziry Street in the presence of His Excellency Mr. Kotaro
Suzuki (Japanese Ambassador to Iraq), Ms. Yoshiko Nagayama (Japanese Consul
General to Erbil), Mr. Sasan Awny (Minister of Municipality and Tourism), Mr.
Hemn Qader (Deputy Governor of Erbil), Mr. Nabaz Abdulhammed (Head of Erbil
Sub-District), Mr. Abdulwahid (President of Erbil Municipality), Mr. Rebeen
(Director of Garden and Parks), Major General Mr. Ahmed Koyi, Mr. Zana Mala
Khalid (Member of Parliament) and Mr. Sardar Al-Bebany (President of Toyota Iraq
and Chariman of Sardar Group) other distinguished guest.

Since 2016, over 1200 Sakura Trees have been planted throughout the many regions
of Iraq. The Sakura flower is the national flower of Japan and is often
associated with youth and spring, similar to the locally significant Narcissus
flower (Nargis flower) that blooms in the spring season in Iraq.

This year’s event was a special event as it marked the 10th anniversary of the
Great East Japan Earthquake. Additionally, for the first time in Iraq, over 80
Sakura Trees were planted on one street which was also renamed from “Jiziry
Street” to now “Sakura Street.”

This project is another step toward creating a stronger bond between the two
countries, Iraq and Japan.