Former Japanese prime minister Abe Shinzo has apologized in parliament over false remarks he made repeatedly to lawmakers about his political funds. The apology came a day after one of his secretaries was convicted of misreporting about 300,000 dollars in connection with parties for Abe's supporters.

"Today, I would like to explain the facts again at this committee and correct my answers. I would like to offer my deepest apologies to all Diet members," Abe said.

Former Japanese prime minister Abe Shinzo says that some previous comments he made in the Diet regarding parties held by his political support group were not factually correct and offered an apology.

Abe was speaking at a Diet committee meeting on Friday, one day after prosecutors brought a summary indictment against his secretary for allegedly misreporting income and expenditures related to the parties.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo will appear at Diet committee sessions on Friday. He is expected to explain and apologize for remarks he made at the legislature in relation to parties held by his political support group for his supporters.

One of his secretaries was indicted on Thursday for allegedly misreporting income and expenditure connected to the parties.

This is a developing story involving Japan's former prime minister Abe Shinzo. A secretary of Abe was indicted for breaking the law on control of political funds.

Abe held a news conference on Thursday. He apologized for the financial issues and for giving misleading answers about them in the Diet.

Sources say Tokyo prosecutors questioned former prime minister Abe Shinzo on a voluntary basis on Monday over alleged political funding violations involving his support group.

One of Abe's secretaries, who heads his support group, is said to be under investigation on suspicion of violating the political funds control law.

Sources say Tokyo prosecutors questioned former prime minister Abe Shinzo on Monday over alleged political funding violations involving his support group.

Abe's office is said to have shouldered part of the costs of parties held for his supporters at Tokyo hotels.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has expressed his intention to give an explanation in the Diet about alleged political funding violations involving his support group.

The support group allegedly paid some of the costs of parties held on the eve of the annual government-funded cherry blossom viewing events. The group is suspected of failing to report the revenue and expenses in violation of the political funds control law.

Former Japanese prime minister Abe Shinzo says he will cooperate with the investigation into alleged political funding violations involving his support group.

Abe spoke to news reporters on Friday about the allegation that the group shouldered part of the costs of annual parties for his supporters.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo says he has not heard that prosecutors have asked to question him on a voluntary basis about annual parties for his supporters.

Asked by reporters about the request on Thursday, Abe replied, "I haven't heard about it."

NHK has learned that Tokyo prosecutors have asked to question former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo over annual parties held for his supporters.

Abe's supporters gathered for parties at Tokyo hotels on the eve of his annual cherry blossom viewing events.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu has declined to comment on media reports that Tokyo prosecutors want to question former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo about the annual parties for his supporters.

Kato said the matter is related to the activities of the investigative authorities.

Japan's main governing Liberal Democratic Party has rejected an opposition demand to question former prime minister Abe Shinzo in the Diet over costs for annual parties.

Media outlets have reported that Abe's office allegedly shouldered part of the costs for parties at hotels in Tokyo held on the eve of Abe's annual cherry blossom viewing events.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has visited Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo.

Abe made the visit on Monday morning after the shrine held its autumn festival on Saturday and Sunday.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has announced he visited Yasukuni Shrine on Saturday.

Abe tweeted that he told the souls of the war dead that he had stepped down as prime minister on Wednesday. He also posted a photo of his visit.