The latest opinion polls show that the support rate for Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s cabinet has significantly rebounded, with 57.5% of respondents believing that Ishiba should continue to serve as prime minister.
Over the weekend, a poll indicated that Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s support rate has notably risen since the July election.
According to surveys by Kyodo News, Ishiba’s support rate has increased to 35.4%, up by 12.5%; Yomiuri Shimbun’s survey shows a 17% increase in support, reaching 39%; while another poll conducted by Mainichi shows a 4% rise, reaching 33%.
Just days after the ruling coalition led by Ishiba suffered significant losses in the July 20 upper house election, his support rate hit a historic low of 22.9% according to public opinion polls.
Despite increasing calls from within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) for Ishiba to take responsibility for the election defeat and resign, a survey by Kyodo News indicates that the percentage of those hoping Ishiba would step down as prime minister has decreased to 40%, down by 11.6% from July.
Despite losing a majority of seats in both the Lower House election in October last year and the Upper House election in July this year, Ishiba has managed to withstand pressure calling for his resignation.
Following consecutive election defeats, the LDP plans to evaluate members’ support in order to decide whether to hold a leadership election earlier. Ishiba won the LDP presidential election in September last year, with a term lasting until 2027.
However, a leadership election typically requires the support of a majority of LDP lawmakers and regional branch representatives.
According to polling by Kyodo News on “Who will be the next LDP president,” former minister of economic security Sanae Takaichi leads with a support rate of 24.5%; Minister of Agriculture Shinjiro Koizumi follows with 20.1%; and Ishiba ranks third with a 13.1% support rate.
Approximately 61.5% of people believe that the Ishiba government should consider the opposition party’s proposal to reduce consumption tax in the Upper House election. As a major campaign promise, the LDP chose to distribute cash to support consumers affected by inflation.
Regarding the decision of the Ishiba government to increase rice production to combat soaring rice prices, 54.4% of respondents believe that rice prices will stabilize or remain relatively stable after the increase in production.
Regarding tariff negotiations between the Ishiba government and the United States, 34.4% of respondents highly appreciate it, while 58.7% do not.
Opinion polls show that as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, 61.5% of people believe that Ishiba should express his views on Japan’s role in the war. According to government sources, he may express his views on September 2 (the day Japan signed surrender in 1945) on this matter.
Divided by party affiliation, the latest opinion poll support rates for Japan’s major political parties are as follows: LDP 22.5%; Constitutional Democratic Party 10.4%; Democratic Party for the People 10.4%; Nippon Ishin no Kai 7.3%; Komeito 11.2%.
14.6% of respondents stated that they do not support any political party.
Kyodo News’ survey randomly selected 509 households with eligible voters and 3901 mobile phone numbers, receiving responses from 425 household members and 631 mobile phone users.
(Adapted based on reports by Kyodo News)