Climate crisis 'likely cause' of early cherry blossom in Japan

Peak bloom reached on 26 March in Kyoto and experts say impact of global warming is to blame

Japan's famous cherry blossoms have reached their flowery peak in many places earlier this year than at any time since formal records began nearly 70 years ago, with experts saying the climate crisis is the likely cause.

Referred to in Japan as sakura, the blossoms used to reach their peak in April, coinciding with the start of the new school and business year. Yet the blooms have been creeping earlier, and now most years the flowers are largely gone before the first day of school.