Poll Finds Support for Takaichi Falls to 49.1%

Tokyo (ANTARA) – Public support for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government has fallen to 49.1 per cent, its lowest level since she took office in October last year and the first time the figure has dropped below 50 per cent, according to a poll released by Kyodo News on Sunday.

The nationwide telephone survey was conducted on Saturday and Sunday. Cabinet approval fell by 4.3 percentage points from the previous month.

Dissatisfaction with Takaichi’s cabinet rose to 33 per cent from 30.9 per cent, the poll found.

The drop in public support comes amid growing controversy over scandals involving several cabinet members, including former Japanese agriculture minister Kazuo Yana, who was dismissed after criticism of inappropriate remarks and alleged violations of the Public Offices Election Act.

In the latest poll, 57.7 per cent of respondents said Takaichi had waited too long to dismiss Yana, while 54.7 per cent said Yana’s resignation would negatively affect the cabinet’s performance.

On economic policy, 65.1 per cent of respondents were concerned that the government’s proposal to cut consumption tax on food and drink from 8 per cent to 1 per cent for two years, starting in April, could harm the country’s public finances.

Separately, Japan’s education minister, Yoshihiro Seki, recently apologised over an improperly organised political fundraising event, adding to the controversies surrounding cabinet members.

Recent polls conducted by several other media organisations have also shown a marked decline in support for Takaichi’s cabinet.