A file photo of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. [Photo/Agencies] TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe denied on Wednesday that he had intervened to secure preferential treatment for a friend's plan to set up a veterinary school despite new reports he had discussed the matter with the friend. Abe's ratings have taken a hit because of several scandals over suspected cronyism and cover-ups, with a steady stream of new allegations raising doubts about how long he can stay in power. One of the scandals involves suspicion Abe helped a friend, Kotaro Kake, director of school operator Kake Gakuen, set up a veterinary school in a special economic zone exempt from a rule limiting the number of such schools. Abe has denied that he ever instructed officials to give preferential treatment for the establishment of Japan's first new veterinary school in more than 50 years. Abe repeated to a parliamentary panel on Wednesday his assertion that he only became aware of Kake's proposal when it was approved in January last year. His was replying to questions after media this week cited an April 2015 memo from an official in Ehime prefecture, where the school ultimately opened in the special government-designated deregulation zone, that said Kake and Abe had discussed the proposal while sharing a meal. No one received instructions from me. There was no problem with the (approval) process, Abe told the parliamentary panel in response to a question about the memo. Asked repeatedly whether he had at least had casual talks about the plan with Kake, Abe said his friend had neither consulted him nor asked for favors. He said he wanted to take on a new challenge, but we never discussed specifics, Abe said. The veterinary schools affair, which emerged last year, is one of several suspected cronyism scandals and cover-ups eroding Abe's support as he eyes a third term as ruling Liberal Democratic Party leader in a September vote. Victory in the party poll would set Abe, who took office in 2012, on track to become Japan's longest-serving premier. Abe has also denied that he or his wife intervened in the heavily discounted sale of state-owned land to another school operator, Moritomo Gakuen, which had ties to Abe's wife, Akie. The finance ministry has admitted doctoring documents related to the murky deal. Separately, Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera apologized again on Wednesday after the military found missing troop activity logs. Among recently lost-and-found records are those from a controversial 2004-06 deployment to Iraq. The logs could shed light on whether the dispatch was to a noncombat zone as asserted by the government at the time, in line with constitutional limits on military activities abroad. Reuters custom picture charm braceletstriple single rubber band braceletrubber wrist bandswholesale custom wristbandscustom silicone bracelets canada
A firework show is held in Macao, Dec 20, 2018. A series of activities and events were held here on Thursday to celebrate Macao's 19th anniversary of returning to the motherland and the establishment of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). [Photo/Xinhua] MACAO - A series of activities and events were held here on Thursday to celebrate Macao's 19th anniversary of returning to the motherland and the establishment of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). The SAR government started a flag-raising ceremony at 8:00 a.m. at the Golden Lotus Square, with Macao's leading officials, discipline forces and local residents participating in the event. Two formations of Public Security Forces of Macao took the national flag and the Macao SAR flag to the two flag poles. Then the two flags were hoisted to the national anthem in front of the audiences and honor guards from Macao's police officers, firefighters and custom officers. People's Liberation Army Macao Garrison also held a flag-raising ceremony in the morning. Following the ceremonies was a reception event held at Macao Tower Convention and Entertainment Center which was decorated by ribbons of red and yellow, the colors of China's national flag. About 900 representatives from all sectors of society in Macao attended the reception to celebrate the anniversary. Chief Executive of the Macao SAR Chui Sai On said at the reception that the SAR government has strictly adhered to the constitution and the Macao SAR Basic Law in the past 19 years, and the policy of one country, two systems was fully implemented in the Macao SAR. He noted that the SAR government was to further participate in the country's reform and opening-up process, and further integrate into the national development. During the day, a special flower show was organized by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau at Taipa Houses. The Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau also offered a commemorative postmarking service to the public to celebrate the anniversary. At 9:00 p.m. local time, a fantastic firework show was put up by the tourism office on the waterfront near Macao Tower. Thousands of tourists and local residents went to the beach to watch the show.
