Tokyo — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe struck an apologetic tone on Monday as he expressed his regret that a cronyism scandal had eaten into parliamentary debate on policy and triggered public mistrust in his government. Abe said the opposition’s focus on the question of his possible intervention in the government’s approval of a school run by one of his close associates took up too much time in the current parliament session. The premier said he would fulfil his responsibility to explain the issue. "I feel the public deserve an apology," Abe said. "This session of parliament, far from having constructive debate, was dominated by mutual recriminations. A great deal of discussion time was taken up with matters that are unrelated to policy." Popularity plunge His grip on the ruling Liberal Democratic Party appeared to be slipping as concern about the cronyism and the rushed passage of an "anti-conspiracy" law triggered his biggest drop in support since taking office in 2012. After...
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