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On April 21, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hosted a cherry blossom viewing party at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in Tokyo.
 
The Prime Minister delivered his remarks in front of the guests invited from various fields, including the culture and art worlds and sports,
 
“The weather is quite nice today. It is my pleasure to host this Cherry Blossom Viewing Party, in such a lively manner, with so many people attending on this sunny day. I would like to express my deep gratitude to everyone for coming despite your busy schedules.
 
To begin with, I would like to preface my remarks with comments on the situation which has shaken the confidence of the public in the administration. I feel deeply responsible as the head of the government. Once again, I would like to express my apology to the people. We will conduct a careful and thorough investigation, uncover the whole truth, and clean out the stables. In addition, we will rebuild our organization. I am determined as the Prime Minister to fulfill my responsibility to this end.
 
This is the sixth Cherry Blossom Viewing Party since the inauguration of my second administration. As it is held in April, I stated at the first party that I hoped the flowers of wage increases would bloom, just like the cherry blossoms. Fortunately, wages have continued to increase for six consecutive years. Wages are continuing to increase, while the cherry blossoms are, unfortunately, not in bloom here. This year, I asked for wage increases of 3% or more; I may have come across like a leader of a labor union to give such a concrete number. It has resulted in many companies increasing their wages by 3% or more. I am very pleased with that. This is the result of everyone’s hard work over the past year. At the same time, maybe I was able to exercise some degree of influence. Yesterday, I was chosen by the U.S. magazine TIME as one of the world’s 100 most influential people. As it was not reported very widely, I would like to publicize it myself. Anyway, I will continue to use the small amount of influence I have in my endeavors to bring even more smiles to everyone, enrich their lives, and invigorate Japanese society.
 
Yesterday, I have just returned from the Japan-U.S. summit meeting. I spent a total of 10 hours and 40 minutes with President Trump. We golfed for around three hours of that time. Some might criticize me for enjoying golf at such a difficult time. In fact, under blue skies like these, standing on the grass, it was possible for the two of us to have frank and candid discussions on various topics. As a result of those 10 hours and 40 minutes, President Trump vowed that he would do his best at the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting in urging North Korea to return the abductees to Japan. I will continue to do my utmost to ensure that progress is made toward the return of the abductees, at the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting to be held for the first time in history.
 
I do hope you will get to enjoy this beautiful weather and spend a relaxing time today. Unfortunately, the cherry blossoms are hidden from us today. We can see many cherry blossoms blooming here at this venue. Take my pink tie, for instance. With the lively participation of the many people here, I am sure you will still have a great time at this Cherry Blossom Viewing Party.
 
A haiku poem has just sprang to my mind.
 
‘A large turnout to see
the cherry trees in leaf
Sake cups stacked up high.’
 
In this haiku, I expressed my feeling that, even though the cherry trees have sprouted leaves, we will still be able to enjoy our sake today with the lively atmosphere created by the many people. You probably cannot get too drunk, but I hope you will all enjoy your time here for the full day, or half a day I mean. I would like to conclude my opening remarks with the pledge that I will continue to exert every effort to further invigorate Japan, and to make Japan a county we can be proud of.
 
Thank you very much for coming today.”
 
After his address, the Prime Minister toured the garden with guests, shaking hands with them and joining in commemorative photographs.