Tokyo: Public support for Japanese Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio’s cabinet fell to 16.9% in February, marking a new record low for his cabinet since its launch in October 2021, a Jiji Press opinion poll showed Thursday.

The figure was also the lowest for a Liberal Democratic Party-led administration since the party returned to power in December 2012.

The approval rate dropped 1.7 percentage points from the previous month, while the disapproval rate climbed 6.4 points to 60.4 points, exceeding the 60-point mark for the first time since May 2020 under then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The approval rate for the Kishida cabinet stood below the key threshold of 30% for the seventh straight month, signaling that the administration is in the “danger zone.”

The dismal result is believed to be mainly due to a high-profile political funds scandal within the LDP.

In the Jiji Press poll, support for the LDP, headed by Kishida, rose 1.7 points to 16.3 points, improving from the previous month’s record low but still remaining below 20 points for the fourth consecutive month.

In the wake of the scandal, the LDP adopted an interim report on political reform last month. While banning the party’s factions from holding fundraising parties and being involved in personnel appointments, the party still allowed factions to exist as policy groups.

The LDP report was viewed negatively by 67.3% of respondents, far more than the 14.1% who viewed it positively.

LDP factions were urged to dissolve by 63.8%, and their continuation was backed by 10.3%.

Meanwhile, the government’s response to the Jan. 1 Noto Peninsula earthquake was supported by 29.6%, down 2.4 points from the previous month, and criticized by 37.6%, up 2.9 points.

When asked why they support the Kishida cabinet, with multiple answers allowed, 36.9% said that they cannot have expectations for the cabinet, 26.8% said that the cabinet’s polices are useless, and 25.1% said that they cannot trust Kishida.

On the other hand, 8.4% of the cabinet’s supporters, the largest group, said that there is no one else suitable to serve as prime minister.

In terms of party support, the LDP took the lead, followed by the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, with 4.1%, up 0.6 point, Komeito, the LDP’s junior coalition partner, with 3.6%, up 0.5 point, and Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party), with 3.3%, down 0.5 point.

Among other parties, the Japanese Communist Party was supported by 2.4%, Reiwa Shinsengumi by 0.9%, the Democratic Party for the People by 0.4%, and the Social Democratic Party and Sanseito each by 0.3%.

Meanwhile, 64.7% said they do not support any political party.

The poll was conducted over four days through Monday, with 2,000 people aged 18 or over interviewed across Japan. Of them, 59.1% gave valid responses.

JIJI Press