東京・靖国神社で桜開花　昨年より５日早く―気象庁

　気象庁は２４日、東京都千代田区の靖国神社にある桜（ソメイヨシノ）の標本木が開花したと発表した。開花日は平年と同じで、昨年より５日早い。満開まで１週間ほどの見込み。
　今春の桜開花は２３日の高知と熊本からスタート。２４日は長崎、宮崎、鹿児島でも咲いた。３月中旬から春本番の暖かさとなっており、これから全国で開花ラッシュを迎える。（2025/03/24-17:06）

Cherry blossoms have started blooming in Tokyo this season, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced Monday.
   The first buds have now opened on a benchmark Somei-Yoshino cherry tree at Yasukuni Shrine in Chiyoda Ward, according to the agency.
   The blooming date was the same as in an average year and five days earlier than last year. Cherry trees in the Japanese capital are expected to be in full bloom in about a week.
   On Sunday, the western city of Kochi and the southwestern city of Kumamoto were the first in the country to see this season's cherry blossoms. On Monday, cherry trees also began having flowers in the southwestern cities of Nagasaki, Miyazaki and Kagoshima.
   Thanks to warm weather since mid-March, cherry blossoms are coming into bloom across Japan.