The Japanese government has cancelled an annual party held to admire the blossom on cherry trees, following allegations of cronyism, APA reports citing BBC.
The publicly funded event - which marks people's achievements - started in 1952 and takes place in Tokyo every April.
But opposition politicians said Prime Minister Shinzo Abe invited too many of his own supporters to the last event.
He was accused of bringing 850 supporters from his local constituency at a hefty cost.