In order to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Japan-India Diplomatic Relations being celebrated this year, a tree-planting ceremony was held in the Embassy of Japan in New Delhi, on 13 March 2012. Mr. Yoshiro Mori, Former Prime Minister of Japan and currently President of the Japan-India Association, graced the event as the Chief Guest.

Mr. Arjun Asrani, Chairman, India Japan Partnership Forum (IJPF) and Mr. Katsuya Okihiro, President, JCCII were the Guests of Honor. The Chief Guest Mr Mori, Guests of Honor Mr Asrani, Mr Okhiro and Ambassador Saiki planted Indian pink trumpet tree whose flowers resemble the Japanese sakura – cherry blossoms.

(L-R) IJPF Chairman Asrani, Chairman of the Japan-India Association Mori, Ambassador Saiki and JCCII President Okihiro	IJPF Chairpman Asrani, Japan-India Association Chaiman Mori, Ambassador Saiki and JCCII President Okihiro performing rites at 'havan'
Japan-India Association Chairman Mori breaking open a coconut	Japan-India Association Chaiman Mori, JCCII President Okihiro, IJPF Chairman Asrani and Ambassador Saiki planting the pink trumpet tree
Japan-India Association Chairman Mori speaking at the tree planting ceremony	(sitting) IJPF Chairman Asrani, Japan-India Association Chairman Mori, Ambassador Saiki and JCCII President Okihiro (standing) Ambassador Aftab Seth, Japan-India Association President Hiroshi Hirabayashi and JCCII board members