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Prime Minister Hosts Cherry Blossom Viewing Party
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hosted the annual cherry blossom viewing party at Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo. Under a clear, sunny sky, the event was lively, with approximately 11,000 guests representing various circles, as well as cultural and sporting figures. In his opening address, Prime Minister Abe said, "I truly feel that it is your good wishes that have brought the blessings of the fine weather and the full bloom of the cherry blossoms. In my childhood, my parents would tell me to 'be grateful to other people.' I am indeed filled with feelings of gratitude today." He also said, "In the garden of the Prime Minister's Office and Residential Quarters where I am currently living, there are also many types of cherry trees, such as Oshima-zakura, Somei-yoshino and Sato-zakura. I sometimes go for a walk in the garden on the weekend. During a recent walk with my wife, we found a large rat snake. We were pretty surprised at first but then thought again that we should cherish it as a guardian of the estate. I hope that today you will enjoy the cherry blossoms in the Gyoen in a relaxed atmosphere. There is a poem by Matsuo Basho that goes, 'Cherry blossoms bring me back to many events in the past.' I hope that, as in this verse, you will make good memories of cherry blossoms today." Touring the Gyoen with the guests for about an hour afterwards, Prime Minister Abe shook hands with people and joined in their commemorative photographs.
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