Japan’s PM cancels cherry blossom party after outcry over florid spending

Taxpayer-funded festivities are meant to honour praiseworthy citizens but critics say they have turned into an exercise in political patronage

In a bid to contain a blossoming scandal over lavish flower-viewing parties, Japan’s prime minister has cancelled next year’s annual taxpayer-funded festivity.

Shinzo Abe’s move to shut down the 2020 party comes after criticism that the cost of the cherry blossom event had spiralled and has been misused for political purposes.

Continue reading...