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On April 13, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hosted a sakura cherry blossom viewing party at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in Tokyo.
 
The Prime Minister delivered his remarks in front of the guests from various fields, including the culture and art, entertainment, and sports,
 
“Today, we are holding the sakura cherry blossom viewing party. Chief Representative Yamaguchi from Komeito, our allied party, and all of the distinguished guests, you kindly take time to join us amidst your busy schedule. Thanks to your attendance, we are having the party in such a grand manner. Thank you very much.
 
This is the 64th annual sakura cherry blossom viewing party and it is 7th party since we regain the control of the Government with Mr. Yamaguchi and everyone else. I suppose some of you might forget but I served as Prime Minister for one year and this is actually my eighth one as Prime Minister. 
 
For this sakura cherry blossom viewing party, there are three elements that you will think glad to attend. The first one is the weather. What a beautiful blue sky today, isn’t it? I don’t mean to brag, but I am one of the top five men in Japan, who are blessed with weather. I don’t know who the other four are, but the weather today is certainly wonderful.
 
The new era name is Reiwa, which was taken from Japanese work Manyoshu: ‘In this auspicious month of early spring, the weather is fine and the wind gentle. The plum blossoms open like powder before a mirror while the orchids give off the sweet scent of a sachet. ‘  Today, we have Yaezakura cherry blossoms instead plum blossoms and it looks like a fine day Spring day with gentle wind.
 
The second one is flowers. Last year, unfortunately, instead of a sakura cherry blossom viewing party, we had a hazakura (young cherry blossom leaves) viewing party. It was a great party that all of the guests enjoyed and had a good time; a sakura cherry blossom viewing party will be a success without flowers when all of the guests are wonderful. Today, the weather is nice, guests are fantastic and, moreover, we have Yaezakura in full bloom. It is truly an amazing day. As the spring is in full bloom, I feel somehow light-hearted and cheerful.
 
Thanks to your support, we have successfully maintained record-high employment success rate among young people, who have graduated high schools or colleges and starting their career. One of the greatest responsibilities of politicians is to create a situation where young people have jobs and pave the way to their future by themselves.
 
We would like to continue firmly working together and advancing policies under the political stability. We must brace ourselves to prepare for the latter half of this Diet session. From this October, early childhood education will become free of charge. And, beginning next April, those children truly in need will get an access to higher education. We must pass bills that enable children carve out their future no matter the state of their parents’ finance. I also intend to make sure our bill to eradicate child abuse will pass too.
 
 
At last, we only have little time left until the end of the Heisei period. During Heisei, we experienced truly painful disasters such as the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake and the Great East Japan Earthquake. We also experienced heart wrecking events. The Heisei period is an era where there were several moments we rejoiced and felt excited along with those painful and heart wrecking events. We also must never forget that many countries offered their hand to us when we faced such difficulties.
 
We will maintain our all-out efforts so that the people of the disaster-affected region can once again live with peace of mind. As the Heisei period draws to a close, I intend that we make every effort to ensure that the succession of the Imperial Throne takes place smoothly, while reflecting works of His Majesties the Emperor and Empress. Taking this opportunity, let me introduce my poem.
 
‘Reluctance to leave, memories of the Heisei, Yaezakura’
 
Thank you for your attention. On May 1, His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince will accede to the Imperial Throne, and the new era named Reiwa will start. I wish the Chief Cabinet Secretary held the era name liked he did beside me. I intend to create an era where all of us will be able to make their own blossoms come into full bloom. Let me introduce another poem here.
 
‘Celebrations, the start of a new era, Yaezakura’
 
Thank you again. I used my brain twice as hard as usual for them today. Let us create an era where all of us will be able to make their own blossoms come into full bloom like the flowers we are seeing in this Heisei Period today. I am also looking forward to enjoying this sakura cherry blossoms viewing party with you, making pledge together to make that happen, under this blue sky and these cherry blossoms in full bloom. Thank you very much for your attendance today.”
 
After his address, the Prime Minister toured the garden with guests, shaking hands with them and joining in commemorative photographs.