Japanese PM’s approval rating climbs to nearly 70% in new Kyodo poll

Public support for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet has risen to 69.9 percent, a 5.5-point increase from the previous survey taken shortly after she assumed office late last month, according to a Kyodo News poll released on November 16.

The two-day nationwide survey, conducted from Saturday, also found strong backing for a defence buildup. According to the results, 60.4 percent favour increasing defence spending to strengthen Japan’s capabilities, while 34.7 percent are opposed.

On the issue of a potential Taiwan emergency, 48.8 percent of respondents said Japan should be prepared to exercise its right to collective self-defence, compared with 44.2 percent who opposed such a move.

Earlier this month, Takaichi told parliament that a military conflict involving Taiwan could qualify as a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan under existing security legislation, potentially enabling Tokyo to exercise its right to collective self-defence.

The survey also highlighted public scepticism regarding the prime minister’s stance on the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s longstanding slush funds scandal. A total of 64.7 percent said they did not believe Takaichi was demonstrating a willingness to resolve the issue, while 27.6 percent felt she was.

Separately, 65.0 percent of respondents criticised the government for acting too slowly in response to a recent wave of bear attacks across Japan.

The Cabinet’s disapproval rating stood at 16.5 percent.

By Vugar Khalilov