How much sun Japanese maples do well with depends on the local climate. Something you have not indicated here.

On another subject specimen is too recently planted and small to have grass coming right up to the trunk - it should instead have a grass free mulched area maybe 3' across around it.

Other than that it looks a little droopy, like it needs to be watered.

Temperature can go to -25/+40 Celsius sometimes.

Thanks

welcome to the forums.... if i havent already said so ....

congrats... you did good.. and you should be very proud of it.. as you seem to be ...

i would also put a mulch ring around. it ... because it will make it 'pop' even more .... make it look like a 'specimen tree' ..... besides it will be better for the tree ...

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=specimen+tree+with+mulch+ring&t=ffcm&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images

dig gently .... mostly by hand... remove the grass ... and put down 2 or 3 inches of mulch.. but not directly on the trunk ... tree trunks should not be covered ....

keep up Gods work ....

ken

Stunning color.

Rather than remove the grass, could it be covered with wet newspaper and mulch (wood chips) to let it break down in place rather than risk disturbing the roots?