A cronyism scandal linked to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has grown to a new level after the finance ministry admitted to tampering with documents. <br /> They relate to the sale of state-owned land at a huge discount to school operator Moritomo Gakuen, which has ties to the prime minister's wife, Akie.<br />The ministry admitted on Monday that it altered the documents to remove references to Abe and his wife before they were handed over to parliament.<br />Abe issued an apology, saying he feels keenly responsible and admitted the situation may erode public trust in his administration.<br />He has repeatedly denied he or his wife did favors for the school operator and said last year he would resign if evidence was found linking them to the scandal. <br />
