#JAPAN: PM Abe Denies Family Donated To Controversial School Land Purchase

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has denied that he or his wife had any involvement in the controversial sale of state-owned land in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan. The plot was sold last year to school operator Moritomo Gakuen at a price far below the appraised value. The operator had planned to open an elementary school on the site.

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#JAPAN: PM Abe's Wife Visits Pearl Harbor, First By Wife Of Sitting PM

[world politics news]

Japan's first lady has visited Pearl Harbor to pay tribute to the victims of the Japanese attack 75 years ago. Akie Abe wrote on her Facebook page that she offered flowers and a prayer at the Arizona Memorial. The unexpected visit fueled speculation that her husband, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, would also visit. In May, Pres. Barack Obama visited Hiroshima, the site of the US bombing that hastened the end of World War II, but resulted in hundreds of thousands of victims.

#JAPAN: Wife Of PM Abe Takes Part In Anti-Expansion Protest Near US Okinawa Base

[world politics news]

Japan's first lady Akie Abe says she is "ready to face criticism" after attending an anti-government rally, protesting the construction of new helipads at the US-operated military in Okinawa.
Abe said she did not inform her husband in advance about what is bound to be seen as a controversial endorsement of the protests, which have been ignored by Tokyo.

#JAPAN: Outspoken First Lady Calls for Spending Cuts Before Sales Tax Hike

[world politics news]