After all, the cherry trees in question, were a gift from the Emperor of Japan.

BBC: By BBC Washington Correspondent Stephen Sackur

Later in the day he'll have the opportunity that he is particularly looking forward to, to meet with the Emperor and Empress of Japan.

WHITEHOUSE: THE WHITE HOUSE

Royals from Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, Monaco, Brunei, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Thailand are among those invited to both events, as are the emperor and empress of Japan.

CNN: SHARE THIS

The Meiji emperor then presided over the creation of modern Japan.

FORBES: Magazine Article

In 1945, the World War II Allies replied to a Japanese communiqu , saying the authority of the Emperor and the Japanese government to rule Japan would be subject to the Allied Supreme Commander.

CNN: Tuesday,

In the late 19th-century industrial revolution that bears his name, Emperor Meiji initiated perhaps Japan's greatest phase of modernization to date.

CNN: The Best City Park

But in the past 15 years, despite (or perhaps because of) the emperor and the government's best efforts, bass fishing has become the new Elvis in Japan, especially among the country's youth, where the sport has tapped into all of the outlaw, counter-culture character (and growth) that skateboarding has in the U.S. Japan-based tackle manufacturers, like Yozuri, Shimano and Daiwa , now supply bass anglers all over the world.

FORBES: Long Reach Of The Largemouth