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TOKYO, May 29-- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday denied allegations that he had exerted pressure on the government so that an institution run by his friend could open a new, heavily subsidized school. Following a heavy bombardment from the four main opposition parties last week, who collectively believe Abe may have used his influence on behalf of his school operator friend, the prime minister claimed Monday such allegations were inaccurate. Abe was quoted as telling a parliamentary session Monday that he had not used his or his office's clout to "exert pressure on the government" so that school operator Kake Educational Institution could launch a new veterinary medicine department at the Okayama University of Science. The institution which operates the university has Kotaro Kake as its chairman and he is known to be a close personal friend of Abe's. The opposition camp have been rallying together over the latest scandal involving the prime minister and a school operator and believe a key witness should provide testimony in the Diet. Kihei Maekawa, a former vice education minister, has formerly said that documents existed linking Abe to the decision to approve the construction of a new, heavily-subsidized veterinary medicine school at Okayama University of Science. The four top opposition parties concluded that there remained a great deal of suspicion regarding potentially shady procedures for the new school to be built, with Renho, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, stating that her party will meticulously look into the issue further to determine the exact level of impropriety committed by the prime minister and or his office. | 
