Abe's wife resigns from honorary position

TOKYO - Japan's first lady has resigned as "honorary principal" of a private elementary school run by a man with ultranationalistic views following an escalating controversy over the low price the school paid for government land.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told Friday's parliamentary session that his wife Akie had resigned from the role.

The prime minister's confirmation came a day after an endorsement of the school from his wife was removed from its website. Abe has said he was aware that Akie served in an honorary position for the school, whose president is a passionate supporter of the prime minister's views.