Japan minister admits files altered in scandal dogging Abe

TOKYO: Japan’s finance minister admitted yesterday that official papers related to a favouritism scandal dogging Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had been altered, but denied any plans to step down over the row, reports AFP.

Abe’s government has faced mounting pressure in recent days over the 2016 sale of state-owned land to one of his supporters at a price well below market value.

Speaking to reporters outside his office, the prime minister “deeply” apologised to the public for this “incident that could shake confidence” in government operations.

“I take people’s criticism sincerely and want Finance Minister (Taro) Aso to be responsible for pushing ahead with an investigation to fully reveal why this kind of incident happened,” added Abe.

 

Japan minister admits files altered in scandal dogging Abe

TOKYO: Japans finance minister admitted yesterday that official papers related to a favouritism scandal dogging Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had been altered, but denied any plans to step down over the row, reports AFP. Abes government has faced mounting pressure in recent days over the 2016 sale of state-owned land to one of his supporters at a price well below market value. Speaking to reporters outside his office, the prime minister deeply apologised to the public for this incident that could shake confidence in government operations. I take peoples criticism sincerely and want Finance Minister (Taro) Aso to be responsible for pushing ahead with an investigation to fully reveal why this kind of incident happened, added Abe.