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The Prime Minister in Action
The Prime Minister Hosts a Cherry Blossom Viewing Party
April 18, 2015
Photograph of the Prime Minister having his photograph taken with guests (1)
Photograph of the Prime Minister having his photograph taken with guests (2)
Photograph of the Prime Minister having his photograph taken with guests (3)
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address (1)
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address (2)
Photograph of the Prime Minister waving at guests
[Provisional Translation]
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hosted a cherry blossom viewing party at Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo. Many guests attended, including leading figures from the culture and art world, as well as the sports world.
Standing before the guests, the Prime Minister said in his address,
“The first mission of the Abe administration is to vitalize the economy, further grow the Japanese economy, and enrich the lives of the people. As an aspect of that, we have been prioritizing increases in Japanese citizens’ incomes and raising wages. Two years ago, during the Cherry Blossom Viewing Party then, there were few cherry blossoms that had started to bloom. That was the feeling at that time. The number of companies that had resolved to raise wages was still countable. However, just like the bloom of the cherry blossoms progresses across the country from south to north, last year, we were able to realize the first wage increase in 15 years. And this year, we are set to exceed last year.
Our mission is to send the warm winds of economic recovery throughout the country, and to this end, we are strongly advancing regional vitalization. I want to make this Diet session that kind of Diet session. This is how I am thinking. We must pursue a variety of reforms. This Diet will follow through on the ‘most drastic reforms since the end of World War II.’ That is how we are positioning it. We have enacted a budget. At last, we are resolved to carry out reform through this Diet.
It is truly warm and fine weather today. I want the world as well to be like this. This is how I think. As I look around me today, I see the cherry blossoms truly blooming proudly, and I am reminded of the Ryokan poem ‘The entire world has become a cherry blossom.’
I want to work hard so that the whole of Japan can experience this feeling. I hope that together with all of you, we can take today’s cheer, bustle, and enthusiasm, and extend it all over the country.”
After his address, the Prime Minister toured the garden with guests, shaking hands with people, and joining in commemorative photographs.
