Japan marked America’s 250th Independence Day with a fireworks display and drone show celebrating the longstanding alliance between the US and Japan.
The celebration featured Tokyo Tower and the Rainbow Bridge illuminated in red, white, and blue to resemble the American flag, while fireworks lit up the night sky over Tokyo. A drone show also displayed the faces of President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
“In Tokyo tomorrow? Celebrate America’s 250th birthday by watching the Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge, and Tokyo Aqua Symphony illuminated! Snap a photo or video of Red, White, and Blue lighting up the night sky,” the US Embassy Tokyo posted on X ahead of the event.
The event was part of the US State Department's global illumination initiative, which is a part of the Freedom 250 celebration to honor the 250th anniversary of American independence. From July 2 to July 5, the State Department coordinated with US embassies and partner governments to illuminate landmarks around the world in red, white, and blue.
Other landmarks that participated in the initiative included the Eiffel Tower and several sites in Romania, among others.
Japan also commemorated the milestone by donating 250 cherry trees to the United States, building on the historic 1912 gift of more than 3,000 cherry blossom trees to Washington DC to be planted around the capital in phases.
The celebration comes as the US and Japan continue to emphasize their security and economic partnership. Trump hosted Takichi at the White House in March, where the two leaders announced initiatives aimed at strengthening economic security and reinforcing deterrence in support of an open Indo-Pacific.
Takaichi has previously emphasized a commitment to a stronger and more prosperous Japan and America, saying she is confident that she and Trump are the “best buddies to share this goal.”
