Takaichi Cabinet’s Approval Rate Almost Flat at 48.4 Pct: Jiji Poll

Tokyo, Aug. 13 (Jiji Press)–Public support for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s cabinet edged down 0.6 percentage point from the previous month to 48.4 pct in August, a Jiji Press survey showed Thursday. According to the survey, conducted for four days through Sunday, the proportion of respondents who did not support the cabinet rose 1.7 points to 26.9 pct. Takaichi spent less time attending intensive deliberations at budget committees of both chambers of the Diet during a special parliamentary session that ended last month than her predecessors typically did during ordinary Diet sessions. A total of 37.8 pct of respondents in the latest survey found the current prime minister’s shorter participation inappropriate, while 31.4 pct said it was appropriate. The results may have reflected perceptions that explanations Takaichi gave to the public were insufficient, despite her repeatedly saying that she had answered questions honestly during such deliberations every time she was asked to attend. The interview-based survey covered 1,974 individuals aged 18 or older across the country, excluding the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto, which was hit by a massive earthquake in late July. Valid responses were given by 59.1 pct. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]