Japan PM approval ratings dive on scandal

New polling shows cabinet approval ratings falling to the 30 per cent range for Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, the lowest since he took office in 2012.

Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has been grilled in parliament by opposition lawmakers over a widening school land sale scandal linked to his wife, as approval ratings for his cabinet plunged to their lowest levels.

Opposition politicians renewed demands on Monday that Abe's wife and top officials involved in the land sale be summoned to testify in parliament.

Abe denied any wrongdoing.

Smoldering for a year, the scandal was rekindled after Finance Ministry officials acknowledged tampering with land deal documents, including deleting references to first lady Akie Abe.

The ministry's land sale to a school the Abes supported involves a huge discount.

Four media polls released Monday showed cabinet approval ratings falling to the 30 per cent range, the lowest since Abe took office in 2012.


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Published 19 March 2018 7:00pm
Source: AAP


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