Kishida Cabinet's Support Rating Hits Record Low of 25% Since 2012 (Television Tokyo Biz)

A public opinion poll conducted by Television Tokyo and The Nihon Keizai Shimbun in June revealed that the Kishida Cabinet's approval rating stands at 25%. This marks the lowest approval rating since the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) returned to power and is the same as the rating recorded in February of this year. The figure represents a 3-percentage point drop from the May survey. It is the lowest level since the LDP returned to power in late 2012, marking the seventh consecutive month that the rating has remained in the 20% range. The percentage of respondents who said they did not support the cabinet remained unchanged at 67% from the previous month. The reasons given for supporting the cabinet were 'because it is a cabinet led by the LDP' (29%), 'because the individuals in the cabinet are trustworthy' (25%), and 'because they have international awareness' (21%). Reasons for disapproval included 'because of the government's or party's management style' (40%), 'because of poor policies' or 'because of a lack of leadership' (both at 39%). Support for individual parties was as follows: LDP 31% (+4 from May survey), Constitutional Democratic Party 9% (-3), Japan Innovation Party 9% (±0), Komeito 3% (-2), Japanese Communist Party 4% (+1), Democratic Party for the People 2% (±0), Reiwa Shinsengumi 2% (±0), Nippon Ishin no Kai 1% (±0), Other parties 1% (±0), and No support 33% (±0).

When asked whether the revised Political Funds Control Act could prevent the recurrence of issues related to 'politics and money,' 7% of respondents answered 'yes,' while 84% answered 'no.' When asked about the effectiveness of the income tax and resident tax cuts that began this month, 13% responded that they believed the cuts would be effective, while 80% said they did not. Regarding the additional subsidies for electricity and gas bills announced by Prime Minister Kishida as a countermeasure against soaring prices, 25% of respondents believed them to be effective, while 68% believed them to be ineffective. In response to a question about how much longer Prime Minister Kishida should remain in office, 56% of respondents said 'until the expiration of his term as LDP president in September this year,' 26% said 'he should be replaced immediately,' and 10% said 'as long as possible.' Regarding the dissolution of the House of Representatives and a general election, 39% of respondents said 'by this autumn,' 19% said 'there is no need to rush the dissolution,' and 15% said 'by the end of this year.' The survey was conducted from June 28 to 30, using both fixed-line and mobile phones, targeting 838 individuals aged 18 and older.