Japan recorded its earliest cherry blossom bloom in 1,200 years
Japan’s cherry blossoms with their charming canopies of pink and white flowers are among the major tourist attractions. But this year Japan has recorded the earliest cherry blossom bloom in 1,200 years.
Cherry blossoms in Japan usually peak in April. But in 2021 the flowers experienced a peak bloom on March 26, which hasn’t occurred since 812 AD, according to researchers.
Scientists warn that the blooms are one of the signs of the looming climate crisis. “We can say it’s most likely because of the impact of the global warming,” Shunji Anbe, an official at the observations division at the Japan Meteorological Agency told AP.
Cherry blossoms have peaked earlier in several Japanese cities this year including the capital Tokyo. According to the agency’s sakura bloom status data, the cherry blossoms peaked six days earlier in Osaka compared with 2020, and eight days earlier compared with normal years.