Takaichi Cabinet approval falls as energy concerns grow in Japan

Support for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet has fallen to 61.3 percent, down 2.5 percentage points from the previous survey, showed a Kyodo News poll conducted over two days from May 16.

The survey also found growing public concern over potential disruptions to supplies of petroleum-derived naphtha, with 70.6 percent of respondents expressing worry about supply stability.

Naphtha, which is used to produce ethylene and other chemicals essential for products such as plastics, insulation foam, adhesives, medical supplies like syringes, and printing ink solvents, has faced tightened supply conditions amid the Middle East conflict.

In response, 70.5 percent of respondents said the government should ask the public to conserve energy in light of potential shortages.

Japanese firms including Calbee Inc. and Kagome Co. have reportedly begun selling some products in simplified packaging. Meanwhile, Environment Minister Hirotaka Ishihara recently urged the public not to overstock household trash bags.

Despite concerns, the government has reiterated that there will be no disruption to naphtha supplies, stating that necessary volumes have been secured. Prime Minister Takaichi has also said her administration would respond flexibly if energy-saving measures become necessary.

On defense policy, the survey showed that 57.2 percent of respondents opposed the recent easing of restrictions on exports of lethal weapons, while 37.1 percent supported the change. The government relaxed the rules last month to strengthen its defense industry and enhance the deterrence capabilities of like-minded partners.

Regarding economic policy, 28.1 percent supported a proposal by the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party to eliminate the consumption tax on food items for two years to address inflation, even if retailers require up to a year to update systems. However, 32.4 percent said the tax cut was unnecessary.

The poll also addressed debates over imperial succession reform. Support for allowing female members of the imperial family to retain their status after marriage stood at 73.9 percent, while 43.7 percent supported adopting men from former branch families into the imperial household. A total of 83.0 percent backed allowing a woman to become emperor.

Discussions on imperial succession are expected to advance during the current Diet session after lawmakers submitted their parties’ positions on legal amendments aimed at ensuring the long-term stability of the imperial family.

In party support ratings, backing for the Liberal Democratic Party fell to 36.2 percent from 40.3 percent in April. Support for the Democratic Party for the People rose to 6.9 percent from 6.1 percent, while support for the Japan Innovation Party stood at 6.7 percent, up slightly from 6.5 percent. Meanwhile, 20.2 percent of respondents said they supported no political party.

The Kyodo News survey was conducted via telephone, with 509 randomly selected households with eligible voters and 3,410 mobile phone numbers contacted. Responses were obtained from 424 household members and 621 mobile phone users.

By Vafa Guliyeva