References to Shinzo Abe removed from documents in cronyism scandal
Tokyo — References to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, his wife and Finance Minister Taro Aso were removed from documents related to a suspected cronyism scandal, according to the documents seen by Reuters. Questions over the sale of state-owned land at a huge discount, to a school operator with ties to Abe’s wife, Akie, have dogged Abe since the matter became public last year. Abe and his wife have denied any wrongdoing. Aso told a news conference on Friday that several officials at his ministry’s division in charge of the sale were involved in altering the documents. He did not say why the documents were altered. Aso apologised for his ministry’s actions but said he had no intention to resign. "It’s extremely regrettable and I apologise for this," Aso told reporters, when asked whether he felt responsible as head of the ministry involved in the alterations. Abe, now in his sixth year in office, has repeatedly denied he or his wife did favours for school operator Moritomo Gakuen...
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