Saturday, April 18, 2009

The Prime Minister Hosts a Cherry Blossom Viewing Party

Prime Minister Taro Aso hosted the annual cherry blossom viewing party at Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo. About 11,000 guests attended, including those representing various circles as well as cultural and sporting figures, and enjoyed "double cherry" blossoms in full bloom.

Prime Minister Aso read a tanka poem to guests, "In my rural home, the cherry blossoms are already blooming. I ask why; it is the rigor of cold winter, the virtue of endurance that makes them bloom." He then delivered an address, saying, "After I became Prime Minister, there occurred an economic and financial crisis that is said to happen only once-in-a-century. The crisis has given rise to many issues concerning employment, housing, and the people's daily lives. I am convinced that the economic countermeasures that we had been preparing throughout the winter in response to these issues will fully blossom upon the execution of the budget. Ｉ will continue do my best, so that the countermeasures drawn up during the winter will bloom together with the spring flowers."

Then, the Prime Minister spent about an hour touring the garden with guests, shaking hands with people, and joining in commemorative photographs.