Ex-PM Abe may be summoned to appear in parliament over dinner parties

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party is looking to call former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to appear in parliament to address allegations that his camp illegally used political funds to pay for dinner parties, sources with knowledge of the matter said Thursday.The move is aimed at avoiding a public outcry over the scandal that could erode support for Abe's successor, Yoshihide Suga, the sources said. Abe, who stepped down in September but remains an LDP lawmaker, could make an appearance before the end of the year, they said.Opposition parties have demanded that Abe answer allegations that…READ FULL ARTICLE