Abe denies abusing influence in Japan favouritism scandal
TOKYO — Grilled by opposition lawmakers as approval ratings for his Cabinet sink, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday repeated his denials that he misused his influence to help a friend in a growing favouritism scandal.
The questioning outside parliament’s ordinary session, a rare occurrence, underscores the ruling Liberal Democrat party’s eagerness to regain public trust.
Abe is expected to reshuffle his Cabinet soon, after seeing public approval sink following various scandals and his party’s railroading of unpopular legislation.
Monday’s questioning was over allegations that Abe intervened to help a friend, Kotaro Kake, gain approval to open a veterinary school in western Japan.