TOKYO -- The faulty wage data scandal that has ensnared Japan's labor ministry has given fresh ammunition to critics of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as concerns mount that global confidence in government statistics could take a hit.
The criticism that the scandal "could undermine Japan's reputation" came Thursday at a joint hearing of opposition lawmakers, including members of the center-left Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. Ruling and opposition parties agreed that day to hold a lower house inquiry session to look into the matter Jan. 24.
