Story perspectives

New Scientist Takes Over 1,200-Year Cherry Blossom Record

4/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Kyoto, Japan, has kept a 1,200-year record of cherry blossom blooming, linked to climate change.
Following the death of climate scientist Yasuyuki Aono last summer, supporters struggled to find a successor to continue the record, initially at Osaka Metropolitan University.
Genki Katata, an environmental biophysicist from Tokyo, has agreed to take over the record-keeping.
The transition comes as Kyoto experiences the final cherry blossoms of the season.

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Story summary

Kyoto, Japan, has kept a 1,200-year record of cherry blossom blooming, linked to climate change.
Following the death of climate scientist Yasuyuki Aono last summer, supporters struggled to find a successor to continue the record, initially at Osaka Metropolitan University.
Genki Katata, an environmental biophysicist from Tokyo, has agreed to take over the record-keeping.
The transition comes as Kyoto experiences the final cherry blossoms of the season.