Annual government cherry blossom viewing party at Shinjuku Gyoen park in Tokyo on April 19, 2009.


People stroll under fully bloomed cherry blossoms at Tokyo's Ueno park on a sunny spring day on April 5, 2009. Viewing of the cherry blossoms is a national pastime and cultural event in Japan, where millions of people turn out to admire the blossoms.

People stroll under fully bloomed cherry blossoms at Tokyo's Ueno park on a sunny spring day on April 5, 2009. Viewing of the cherry blossoms is a national pastime and cultural event in Japan, where millions of people turn out to admire the blossoms.

Fully bloomed Cherry blossoms are seen at Tokyo's Ueno park on a sunny spring day on April 5, 2009. Viewing of the cherry blossoms is a national pastime and cultural event in Japan, where millions of people turn out to admire the blossoms.

Petals fall as people stroll under fully bloomed cherry blossoms on a promenade alongside a river in Tokyo at a sunny spring day on April 9, 2009. Viewing of the cherry blossoms is a national pastime and cultural event in Japan, where millions of people turn out to admire them.

Cherry blossoms are full bloomed on a promenade alongside a river, while petals flow on a river, in Tokyo at a sunny spring day on April 9, 2009. Viewing of the cherry blossoms is a national pastime and cultural event in Japan, where millions of people turn out to admire the blossoms.

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso (C) poses for photographs with guests during the annual government cherry blossom viewing party at Shinjuku Gyoen park in Tokyo on April 19, 2009.

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso (C) poses for photographs with guests during the annual government cherry blossom viewing party at Shinjuku Gyoen park in Tokyo on April 19, 2009

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso (C) poses for photographes with guests during the annual government cherry blossom viewing party at Shinjuku Gyoen park in Tokyo on April 19, 2009

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, right, poses with members of the Japanese idol group AKB 48 and other invitees at the government sponsored cherry blossoms viewing party at Tokyo's Shinjuku Gyoen park, Saturday, April 18, 2009.