Japan Finance Minister Aso likely to skip G20 meeting

Deutsche Bank’s Torsten Slok discusses the U.S. February jobs

"What is important is to make everything clear", he said.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Tuesday that Japan wanted to see a resolution to the issue of past abductions of Japanese citizens from talks with North Korea and that North Korea must match its words with actions.

The government's admission Monday that documents linked to a controversial land sale had been altered in a possible cover-up added fuel to a scandal that has long dogged Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, threatening his once-unassailable standing in the ruling party.

And question that's bothering the public: Did the government sold land to the school management at cheap price due to their connections to Abe's wife? "Please go ahead." The land had been slated for construction of a new school in Osaka, Japan's third-largest city.

His resignation followed the death of a finance ministry official involved in the land sale, who is believed to have committed suicide last week, although it's unclear if there's a direct link.

Aso said the documents were altered at the instruction of some officials in the financial bureau apparently to make them consistent with what Sagawa said at parliament.

Abe has repeatedly denied he or his wife did favors for school operator Moritomo Gakuen, which bought the land in question, and has said he would resign if evidence were found that they had. Abe has campaigned to inject patriotism into schools: during his first term as prime minister in 2006 the law was revised to include nurturing "love of country" as an educational goal. The head of the National Tax Agency, Nobuhisa Sagawa, who was in charge of overseeing the sale, has also quit.

More news: Gauri Lankesh murder case: SIT gets 5-day custody of Naveen Kumar

The controversy had faded but erupted again when media reported that official documents about the deal had been changed, prompting the Ministry of Finance to release to parliament 14 documents that showed various changes. It is "inconceivable" that bureaucrats had been acting in accordance with Abe's wishes, he said. "We have to take it not only as an administrative issue, but as one that affects all politics".

"Doctoring public documents is an act that shakes the foundation of democracy", said the Asahi Shimbun.

The alterations "cause a loss of trust in the administration", said Natsuo Yamaguchi, head of the LDP's junior coalition partner, Komeito.

Polls have shown Abe's popularity declining as media reports suggested that document tampering had taken place.

Eight out of 10 voters said the government was not responding appropriately to the allegations, according to the survey conducted over the weekend among 1,036 voters. As a safe haven currency, the yen tends to strengthen as a response to rising political risks.

"The political authority or prestige of the Abe administration will decrease drastically because of this scandal", said Jiro Yamaguchi, a professor of political science at Hosei University in Tokyo. On the trade front, it must deal with U.S. President Donald Trump's protectionist policies.

Related News:

13 March 2018

Jonny Bairstow ton helps England win series against New Zealand
England were lax at times in the field, with Moeen dropping Santner on 57, but they improved in the final overs. Taylor hit a six off Woakes in the 48th over, then New Zealand reached the 49th over needing 13 from 12 balls.

13 March 2018

Serena Williams gears up to launch her own beauty line
Serena was a mere shadow of her past self and managed to win just 54 percent of her first serve points in the first set. She closed out the 1 1/2-hour match on her second match point when Serena's forehand service return sailed long.

Boise State to face Washington in NIT
Penn State, which finished three spots lower than Nebraska in the conference, is the other Big Ten team. The Huskers will travel to Mississippi State to take on the fourth-seeded Bulldogs (22-11, 9-9 SEC).
13 March 2018

Nebraska to play in NIT, Drake in the CIT
I am sure Bill Walton is not pleased, but maybe we will be fortunate enough to hear his rants while he calls some of these games. It was after that when Nebraska coach Amy Williams started to feel like the Huskers had done what they needed to.

13 March 2018

Was Meghan Markle's beret a nod to Princess Diana?
She was joined by Princes Harry and William , the Duchess of Cambridge , Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall . And, yes, she does know the words of the National Anthem.

11 March 2018

Half goals see Chelsea to victory over Crystal Palace
Roy Hodgson sent on Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha for the second half in place of Benteke, and it nearly paid off instantly.
12 March 2018

Kurds clash with police in Germany, UK over Turkey's Afrin campaign
Erdogan said on Sunday Turkish troops and allied Syrian rebels were now just four to five kilometres from Afrin. Erdogan said in remarks to supporters in Bolu, a city east of Istanbul.

11 March 2018

Palestinian killed during clash with Israelis in West Bank
Avraham Binyamin, a Yitzhar spokesman, said two Palestinians were seen approaching Yitzhar with a "burning object". Israel says the entire city is its indivisible, and eternal capital.

11 March 2018

Richard Sherman visits 49ers on day of Seahawks release
Will Richard Sherman's foray into free agency be brief? He is expected to have his first free agent meeting with the 49ers. The move was to save a lot of money and get the team under the salary cap.
13 March 2018

Michigan State NCAA tournament practice at LCA open to public Thursday
Keep scrolling down and you come to the Big Ten , which has a final four of Michigan State , Purdue , Michigan and Ohio State . The 7-seed the Wolverines earned is their highest seed ever in five previous NCAA Tournament appearances.

11 March 2018

49ers to meet with Richard Sherman
Sherman was due $13 million for the 2018 season and his release gives Seattle a salary cap savings of about $11 million. But Sherman said at the Sports Star awards he thought he would be ready for the beginning of mini-camp.

10 March 2018

Carolina Panthers trade for veteran receiver with history of big plays, drops
The 6-foot, 209-pounder stepped up his game in the playoffs, however, catching 13 passes for 157 yards and a TD. Worley will join fellow corners Sidney Jones , Ronald Darby , and Jalen Mills fighting for playing time.