TOKYO, July 21 (Xinhua) -- A series of opinion polls in Japan released in July showed that public support for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet has continued to decline, with disapproval overtaking approval in some surveys for the first time.
Japanese observers said Takaichi's pursuit of contentious policies for political ends while failing to address mounting public concerns over livelihoods has fueled dissatisfaction, casting increasing doubt over the sustainability of her administration.
Multiple polls showed the cabinet's approval rating falling below 50 percent, the lowest level since Takaichi took office. A survey by Jiji Press put the cabinet's approval rating at 49 percent, down 5.3 percentage points from June. A poll conducted by All-Nippon News Network found support falling 10.9 points to 49.2 percent. Meanwhile, a Mainichi Shimbun survey showed approval plunging 10 percentage points to 41 percent, while disapproval rose to 44 percent, surpassing support for the first time.
According to the Mainichi survey, the results suggest a significant shift in the public support base and the environment of public opinion surrounding the Takaichi administration.
Analysts attributed the sharp decline in support to growing public dissatisfaction with the government's handling of several major issues, noting that it has become a serious warning sign for the administration.
CONTROVERSIAL LEGISLATION
Political observers said the government's revision of the Imperial House Law, a backup capital plan, and a series of security initiatives that further loosen postwar constraints have become major triggers for the decline in public support.
In late June, Takaichi's cabinet approved revisions to the Imperial House Law. The revised law, enacted by parliament last Friday, allows the Imperial family to adopt male paternal-line descendants of the 11 former Imperial branches. The proposal emphasizes "male-line succession," a principle advocated by the government and the ruling parties, sidestepping the most divisive issue of whether women should be allowed to inherit the throne.
Critics argued that the revision reflects an excessively conservative approach and runs counter to public opinion, with most Japanese expressing acceptance of the possibility of a female emperor.
The proposed backup capital bill, aimed at elevating Osaka's administrative status, has long been a priority of the Japan Innovation Party, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)'s coalition partner, whose political base is in Osaka.
Observers believe Takaichi pushed the legislation through parliament partly to strengthen the ruling coalition. According to an Asahi Shimbun poll, around 60 percent of respondents opposed the Imperial House Law revision or believed there was no need to prioritize the backup capital bill during the current parliamentary session.
Meanwhile, the administration's expanded defense and security agenda has also drawn increasing public opposition.
Since the beginning of the year, the government has relaxed restrictions on the export of lethal weapons, signaled the possibility of further increases in defense spending, and raised the prospect of revising Japan's long-standing Three Non-Nuclear Principles.
Multiple opinion polls showed opposition to these policies significantly outweighing support. Large-scale protests have been held almost weekly near Japan's parliament, while criticism of the government's military expansion has continued to grow on social media.
POLITICAL SCANDALS
Another factor behind the falling approval ratings has been the administration's handling of political scandals.
Japanese weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun recently published emails, audio recordings and other evidence alleging that Takaichi's campaign team produced a large number of videos attacking political rivals during last year's LDP leadership race and this year's House of Representatives election.
Takaichi has declined to respond directly to the allegations and rejected opposition demands for her secretary involved in the case to testify before parliament.
In late June, she told parliament that the secretary would submit a written statement "in the coming days," a move criticized by opposition lawmakers and commentators as an attempt to avoid parliamentary scrutiny. Nearly a month later, no such statement had been submitted, further fueling public criticism.
ECONOMIC CONCERNS
According to the Bank of Japan, the country's corporate goods price index rose 7.1 percent year on year in June, the fastest pace since March 2023. Prices increased in 22 of the 23 product categories covered by the index.
Despite rising living costs, Takaichi has yet to fulfill campaign pledges such as reducing the consumption tax. Instead, the government has maintained expansionary fiscal policies, contributing to a growing public debt burden and continued weakness in the yen, raising concerns over Japan's fiscal outlook.
The Asahi Shimbun poll showed that fewer than 30 percent of respondents approved of the government's policies to address rising prices.
Hiroshi Shiratori, a professor at Hosei University, said the issues prioritized by the Takaichi administration have become increasingly disconnected from the day-to-day concerns of households struggling with inflation.
By promoting policies that many voters consider low priorities, the government has deepened social divisions and reinforced the perception that people's most pressing concerns are being ignored, further eroding public support, he said.
WARNING SIGN
Japanese economist Takashi Kadokura argued that the Takaichi government should have focused on preventing excessive depreciation of the yen to help ease inflationary pressure, but its policies have instead accelerated the currency's decline. If confidence in the government's economic management continues to weaken, consumer sentiment may deteriorate further, prolonging sluggish consumption and increasing the risk of Japan falling into a cycle of persistently high inflation and weak economic growth.
On the political front, analysts noted that Takaichi lacks a strong power base within the ruling LDP and has relied heavily on public support to maintain her position inside the party. By pushing ahead with divisive policies despite broad public opposition, she risks further undermining her political foundation.
Izuru Makihara, a professor at the University of Tokyo, said Takaichi has attempted to stabilize her administration through cabinet reshuffles and closer cooperation with the Japan Innovation Party, but the limitations of those approaches have become increasingly evident, leaving her government under mounting pressure.
Makihara added that with the current parliamentary session nearing its end, the "Takaichi dominance" that emerged after the House of Representatives election earlier this year may soon give way to a new phase, potentially bringing significant changes to Japan's political landscape. ■
