Japan PM revises when he knew about friend's vet school application

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attends a lower house budget committee session at the parliament in Tokyo, Japan July 24, 2017. REUTERS/Toru Hanai

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday revised when he first knew about a friend's application to open a veterinary school at the centre of a suspected cronyism scandal, saying he only became aware of the plan after it was approved.

Abe, whose ratings have plunged below 30 percent in some polls over the issue, earlier said he knew about his friend's school when the application was lodged -- 10 days earlier.