Lawmakers accuse Japan PM of false denial in school scandal

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks during a session of the House of Representatives Budget Committee in Tokyo Monday, July 24, 2017. Abe once again denied that he misused his influence to help a friend in a growing favoritism scandal Monday as support ratings for his scandal-laden Cabinet hit new lows. Regular parliamentary session ended late June and holding one during its summer recess is extremely rare. (Yoshinobu Shimizu/Kyodo News)

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is being questioned in Parliament about a cronyism scandal after opposition lawmakers alleged he testified falsely a day earlier when he denied using his influence to help a friend.

Parliament has heard allegations from lower-level staffers and gathered documents that show Abe’s office intervened to help Kotaro Kake to open a new veterinary school in western Japan. Parliament is continuing to question Abe about his personal role Tuesday.

On Monday he repeatedly denied using his influence and said he learned of his friend’s plans only after Kake formally applied in January.

Opposition lawmakers say it’s unthinkable Abe was unaware of a years-old plan that other officials knew.

Abe is expected to reshuffle his cabinet after scandals and railroading of unpopular legislation sank his approval ratings.