Key facts
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet approval rating was 62% in a Nikkei and TV Tokyo poll.
- A Kyodo News poll showed Takaichi's cabinet approval rating rose to 53.4% after a reshuffle.
- A Sankei-FNN poll indicated Takaichi's cabinet approval rating was 61.6%.
- 63.1% of respondents in a Kyodo News poll expect a planned consumption tax cut to have a small effect on easing inflation.
- 66.6% of respondents in a Kyodo News poll found the appointment of lawmakers disciplined over a political scandal inappropriate.
- 68.3% of respondents in a Sankei-FNN poll favored a bill to cut the number of House of Representatives seats.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet maintained strong public support following a recent reshuffle, with approval ratings hovering around 60% in multiple polls. A Nikkei and TV Tokyo poll showed support at 62%, while a Kyodo News survey indicated a rise to 53.4% and a Sankei-FNN poll reported 61.6%.
The reshuffle, the first since Takaichi took office in October last year, retained many key members of her administration and included a minister from the ruling coalition's junior partner, the Japan Innovation Party. However, a significant majority in the Kyodo News poll, 66.6%, deemed the appointments of two lawmakers previously disciplined over a political slush fund scandal as "not appropriate."
Public sentiment is divided on the government's plan to temporarily cut the consumption tax on food and beverages from 8% to 1% for two years starting next April. While 63.1% in the Kyodo News poll expect it to have only a "small" effect on easing inflation, 40.8% cited such measures as a priority. The Sankei-FNN poll showed 58.3% in favor of the tax cut, though 52.6% believed it would have little or no effect on household burdens.
The Sankei-FNN poll also revealed strong support for a proposed cut in the number of House of Representatives seats, with 68.3% in favor. Regarding Japan's response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Etorofu Island, 54.6% favored a flexible approach and dialogue, while 30.8% called for a firmer stance. Additionally, a majority (53.2%) disapproved of Takaichi's decision not to publicly protest U.S. sanctions against International Criminal Court officials.