MINAMISOMA, Fukushima -- Cherry blossom trees in the Fukushima Prefecture towns of Futaba and Okuma, where the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station stands, have been cut down without local residents' knowledge amid the redevelopment process following the lifting of evacuation orders in 2022.

On March 14, the town of Futaba cut down five to six tall Somei Yoshino trees growing in front of a now-demolished public gym. They were located along the road leading from National Route 6 westward toward JR Futaba Station, serving as a kind of gateway to the town center. On the site of the former gym, construction is starting on a new publicly funded, privately operated commercial facility that will house three restaurants.

An official from the town's reconstruction promotion division explained, "We considered preserving the trees, but they had 'witch's broom disease' (a fungal infection) and posed a risk of falling, so we decided to cut them down. We intend to plant a new sakura tree at the commercial facility."

The cherry blossom is designated as the town's official flower. Before the evacuation order was lifted, the municipal government had featured photos of local cherry blossoms in its community newspaper, and those in front of the former gym were popular among the locals. A 43-year-old woman originally from Futaba who now lives in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Iwaki expressed her disappointment: "Seeing those sakura always made me feel like I was back home in Futaba. While I welcome the positive change of new residents moving in and new buildings being constructed, I was shocked that the cherry trees were cut down without any prior notice. I wish they had held a farewell ceremony, even something modest."

Meanwhile, in the town of Okuma, a single Kawazu cherry blossom tree in front of JR Ono Station was also cut down. The tree was managed by East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) and was located in a spot visible from the station platform. It was believed to have been planted shortly after World War II by a local associated with the then Japanese National Railways and had long watched over residents.

As part of redevelopment plans around Ono Station, the town has been working to build a roundabout and parking area at the station's east exit. In November 2024, it was discovered that the cherry tree would obstruct the construction, and after discussions with JR East, it was cut down. An official from Okuma's reconstruction project division explained, "Even during discussions with JR, there was no mention that the cherry tree was cherished by the townspeople."

Masakatsu Watanabe, 76, head of the local residents' group Okuma Furusato Juku, which organizes historical site tours and other activities, lamented the loss. "There's now nothing left in front of the station to mark what life was like before the (March 11, 2011) disaster. You can't just rebuild a tree, so I wish the town had discussed the matter more thoroughly before cutting it down. Maybe everyone's just too busy with their work. ..."

An official from the town's lifelong learning division currently developing a "cultural asset preservation and utilization plan," acknowledged that the Kawazu cherry's significance "was not shared within the town government." The official added that they plan to collaborate with the residents' group "to create a comprehensive list and map of cultural assets, including natural landmarks and historical sites that are not officially designated as cultural properties, for internal sharing and distribution to businesses."

(Japanese original by Shuji Ozaki, Minamisoma Local Bureau)