rki.news | Sources: Xinhua
TOKYO, July 20: Public support for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s cabinet has declined sharply, with disapproval now exceeding approval for the first time since she assumed office, according to a nationwide survey published by the Mainichi Shimbun.
The poll, conducted over the weekend, found the cabinet’s approval rating had dropped by 10 percentage points from 51 percent in June to 41 percent. At the same time, the disapproval rate rose by nine percentage points to 44 percent, marking the first occasion in the newspaper’s surveys that support has fallen below the 50 percent mark since Takaichi became prime minister in October last year.
The findings also indicate a broader decline in public confidence in the government. Last week, a separate opinion poll by Jiji Press also recorded cabinet approval below 50 percent. That survey showed support at 49 percent, down 5.3 percentage points from the previous month.
The latest polls suggest growing public dissatisfaction with the government’s performance as it faces increasing political and economic challenges.