Japan first lady resigns from honorary position at school

TOKYO (AP) — The Japanese first lady has resigned as "honorary principal" of a private elementary school run by a man with ultra-nationalistic views following an escalating controversy over the low price the school paid for government land.

Abe, however, has said he was aware that Akie served in an honorary position for the school, whose president is a passionate supporter of the prime minister's views.

The scandal has dominated parliamentary debate, with opposition lawmakers summoning finance and education ministry officials to clarify how the school obtained the large discount.

In a message posted on the school website, she wrote that she was deeply impressed with Kagoike's "passion for education" and that the school's moral education fosters Japanese pride and strong principles among children.

The school and Kagoike have also drawn attention over a note distributed to parents of the kindergartners that criticized Koreans and Chinese, prompting Osaka prefectural officials to question the school, which later apologized.