Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, now in a rare fifth year as leader, is battling scandals on two separate fronts as questions swirl about his ties to a nationalist school involved in a murky land deal and his defense minister faces calls to resign.
The scandals, which analysts say present the most serious crisis for Abe since he returned to power in 2012, appear likely to further erode his support rate, which now stands at about 50 percent.
They are also denting his image as an invincible leader with a shot at becoming Japan's longest-serving prime minister, although so far most political experts are betting he can survive.