Kishida Cabinet's support rate falls to record low 32%: Kyodo poll

The support rate for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's Cabinet fell to 32.3 per cent, the lowest level since he became prime minister in October 2021, a Kyodo News survey showed on October 15.

The figure declined from 39.8 per cent in the previous poll in September and was below 33.1 per cent in November and December 2022, while the disapproval rating rose to a record high of 52.5 per cent from 39.7 per cent in September, according to the two-day nationwide telephone survey.

The survey conducted on October 14 also showed that 58.6 per cent of respondents expect the upcoming economic package, planned to be compiled by the end of this month to mitigate the pain of rising prices for everyday goods, will be ineffective.

The survey showed that 61.1 per cent believe Kishida's ruling Liberal Democratic Party still has links with the controversial religious group Unification Church, formally called the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification.

The government has filed a request with a court for an order to dissolve the church in a move that will deprive the group, known for its aggressive solicitation of donations, of its tax-exempt status.

Still, the poll showed a relatively high level of public understanding regarding the release of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea, with 74.6 per cent considering the government's decision was "appropriate" and 20.8 per cent "inappropriate."

Currently, the second round of water discharge has been underway since early October, although local fishermen remain concerned over reputational damage to their products amid China's blanket ban on Japanese seafood imports imposed after the first discharge began in August.