Lawyers for the victims say Japan Life solicited clients by displaying on company materials an invitation to a party funded by the Japanese government. The invitation was addressed to the firm's former chairman.

The company allegedly showed potential clients documents at seminars and other events in 2015. The documents reportedly said, "Chairman Yamaguchi Takayoshi has received an invitation from the prime minister" to an annual cherry blossom-viewing party.

People have been enjoying walking beneath cherry blossoms at a popular viewing spot in Tokyo on Saturday, but there are no gatherings this year due to the new coronavirus threat.

Ueno Park attracts more than 3 million people to admire the cherry blossoms in a normal year.

Japan's Meteorological Agency has declared the start of cherry blossom season in Tokyo.

Agency officials confirmed on Saturday afternoon that at least five blossoms had opened on the benchmark tree of the Somei-yoshino variety at Yasukuni Shrine in central Tokyo.