Arab News Japan

TOKYO: The approval rating for Japanese Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru’s Cabinet made a surprise jump to 35.4 percent in a Kyodo News poll released on Sunday.

Ishiba’s support rate had dropped to a record-low 22.9 percent in the previous survey, which was conducted days after the ruling coalition – headed by Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party – lost its majority in the House of Councillors after an election on July 20.

While there have been a growing number of people calling for Ishiba to step down as prime minister – even from within the Liberal Democratic Party – in the poll, 57.5 percent said he does not need to resign to take responsibility for the election setback.