Led by Japan Institute, Portland Japanese Garden’s global cultural initiative and sibling organization, public gardens around the world presented the collaborative installation: SPREAD PEACE: Wish Tree by Yoko Ono. The Wish Tree was shown simultaneously from June 7-10 at Portland Japanese Garden in its Cultural Village, Keihanna Commemorative Garden in Japan, Kokoro no Niwa in Chile, and Johannesburg Botanical Gardens in South Africa.

In June, Portland Japanese Garden, through its sibling organization and global cultural initiative, Japan Institute, formally presented a handcrafted replica of its beloved Peace Lantern to one of the most revered and famous public gardens in the United States, Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

On September 21, the United Nations’ International Day of Peace, Japan Institute held its third Peace Symposium at Japan Society in New York, New York, U.S. Among the many highlights of this free and public event was a commissioned poetry reading by Nomi Stone, work that is available to read here.

On November 30th and December 4th, Japan Institute held its fourth and fifth Peace Symposia in Cape Town and Johannesburg, respectively. Among the many highlights of these free and public events were commissioned poetry readings by Siphokazi Jonas, work that is available to read here.

Since the establishment of its sibling organization Japan Institute in 2022, Portland Japanese Garden has seen its relationship with many vitally important international organizations blossom. Among these is a globally recognized leader in peacemaking: the Nobel Peace Center.

Japan Institute of Portland Japanese Garden partnered with Nobel Peace Center and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew for the Peace Symposium, Peacemaking at the Intersection of Culture, Art, and Nature in December 2022 in the United Kingdom. Read a transcription of the opening remarks given by Richard Deverell, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.