National Cherry Blossom Festival

WASHINGTON -- The flowering trees that symbolize friendship between the United States and Japan are blooming for the 99th time in Washington in the wake of one of the world's worst natural disasters.

Before the two-week National Cherry Blossom Festival opens Saturday, organizers held a fundraising walk and vigil Thursday evening among the trees for victims of Japan's March 11 earthquake and tsunami. An estimated 18,000 people have been killed in the disaster.

Several hundred people gathered at the Washington Monument on a cold evening, some holding Japanese flags or signs of support.

Japanese Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki told the crowd that his country needs help.

"Everything started on what I call 3/11 - earthquake, tsunami and nuclear incident - and we are still struggling," he said. "This is a very tough fight, but the consolation is people around the world are trying to be with us."

Fujisaki said the U.S. sent one of the first rescue teams and military support.

"Really, we need your assistance, and you're giving that to us," he said.

After a gathering and moment of silence, the ambassador joined a crowd in walking to the cherry blossom trees along the Tidal Basin, holding glow sticks. Donation bins lined the sidewalk to benefit American Red Cross relief efforts.