I first came to Japan in April 2020. Since then, nothing particularly noteworthy has happened in my life, largely due to COVID-19, which has kept me mostly indoors. School hasn’t been special either; my experiences might be considered unremarkable. However, that’s not to say I’ve done nothing. I’ve spent a lot of time alone, reflecting on my past, present, and future. Today, I want to write about my past.

Have you ever deeply regretted something? For me, it was not planting a tree when my mother invited me to do it together. I had no interest at the time and declined.

When I arrived in Japan, what struck me most was the abundance of trees, beautifully aligned even in non-forest areas. Living in Vietnam, I had heard that developed countries have many trees in parks and along roads, but I didn’t believe it until I saw Japan’s towns for myself.

Vietnam is a developing country, so there are still relatively few trees in towns and parks compared to the number of buildings, like factories, being constructed. While building factories is good for strengthening the economy, the gradual decrease of trees in towns, replaced by factories everywhere, is a problem.

Planting trees and creating parks can provide a comfortable space for exercise. This could encourage not only the elderly and children but also busy working people to exercise, leading to a healthier population and, in turn, economic development.

However, I believe not just any park will do. Parks with trees, flowers, ponds, and various fitness equipment for health purposes are ideal.

Thus, trees are not just for parks; they are crucial for health, the country, and the world. Trees play multiple roles: they absorb CO2 and produce O2 through photosynthesis, sustaining life. They also help prevent floods and landslides. Countries with many trees are likely to see economic growth. So, let’s plant trees together.

I used to not understand the importance of trees, thinking planting them was not my concern. But now, as the Earth’s condition worsens, inaction might lead to catastrophic outcomes. For the planet and ourselves, let’s each contribute to planting trees in our own way.