Finally finished it :D. I wouldn't say I'm the best at symbolism and stuff, but I try.

Symbols :

Drawn in anime style, as the rules wanted.

New York related, with the apple and the tall building silhouettes. Skyscrapers = NY. Apple = nickname, "The Big Apple", also New York State's fruit.

Girl in Japanese themed clothing biting the apple = symbol of how Japanese culture and etc is slowly insinuating into everyday American Society.

Taxi Cab checkers = Lots'a taxi cabs in NY, one of the most recognizeable things.

Girl is a "Yūrei", basically the Japanese version of a ghost, hence the white kimono and 2 blue floating spirits. Halloween was part of the requirements too.

Rising sun in the background with silhouettes of Cherry blossoms = common symbols of Japan, also known as the "Land of the Rising Sun", hence the rising sun.

New York silhouette (symbolizing New York) surrounding the Rising Sun (symbolizing Japan) = In New York, anime/manga isn't the most widespread thing, its sort of an "inside" thing that isn't too common. And the sources to get your anime/manga needs in New York is usually deep in the city (from my experience). So.....its like New York is the backdrop, and the Japanese culture is inside and a part of it?