DHAKA: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he received donations from firms that got government subsidies, the first time he himself has faced questions about potentially improper donations, after having lost three cabinet members to scandals.

Abe returned for a rare second term in 2012, pledging to reboot Japan’s economy, and his ruling coalition cruised to another big election win in December.

His support remains above 50 percent, high for a Japanese premier, reports The Straits Times.

Abe’s farm minister quit last week after questions about his funds threatened to snarl parliament, which has delayed passage of the budget for the year from April.

Last year, two cabinet ministers quit, one for possible misuse of political funds and one for a campaign law violation.

BDST: 1150 HRS, MAR 03, 2015