Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, his ratings sinking over a suspected cronyism scandal, on Monday, July 24 said he had never instructed officials to give preferential treatment to a long-time friend, adding that the latter had never sought favours, Reuters reports.

Abe and his aides have repeatedly denied intervening to help Kake Gakuen, an educational institution whose director, Kotaro Kake, is a friend of the prime minister, win approval for a veterinary school in a special economic zone.

Abe's support has plunged below 30 percent in some opinion polls, hit by the suspected scandal and a perception among many voters that his administration is taking them for granted.

The slump is encouraging rivals and casting doubt on Abe's prospects of becoming Japan's longest-serving prime minister by winning a third three-year term when his current tenure ends in September 2018.

Abe told a special session of parliament's lower house budget committee that it was not surprising the public had doubts, given that Kake had been his friend since they were students, but added that Kake had "never once" sought favours.