"Approval Rating Plummets" Abe Praises Japan's Strength in COVID-19 Response

Shinzo Abe (left), Prime Minister of Japan, enters the press conference room at the Tokyo Prime Minister's Official Residence wearing a mask on the 25th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose approval rating has fallen to its lowest level in about seven and a half years since returning to power, said on the 25th regarding the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) situation, "It was possible to almost contain it in just a month and a half using Japan's own method," and added, "We truly showed the power of the Japan model."

Prime Minister Abe reportedly made these remarks during a press conference held to announce the policy of "lifting the state of emergency nationwide" related to COVID-19 in Japan. The conference was broadcast live through local media.

Abe also introduced that United Nations Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres praised Japan's response to COVID-19 on the 22nd, stating, "Japan's infectious disease response is an outstanding model in the world."

However, during the press conference, questions criticizing the handling of the COVID-19 situation continued. According to a public opinion poll conducted by Asahi Shimbun from the 23rd to 24th targeting Japanese voters, 57% of respondents answered that they do not "positively evaluate" the Japanese government's response to COVID-19. Positive evaluations accounted for only 30%.

In this survey, the approval rating for the Abe Cabinet recorded 29%, the lowest since Prime Minister Abe returned to power in December 2012. Support for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party also dropped to a low level of 26%.

Following the inadequate COVID-19 response, Abe is facing further political difficulties after it was revealed that Hiromu Kurokawa, the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office chief prosecutor, played "bet mahjong" with reporters during the state of emergency, leading to his resignation.

At the press conference, Abe responded to related criticisms by saying, "I must seriously accept the criticism," "The responsibility naturally lies with me as the Prime Minister," and "I want to devote all my strength to the given mission without being swayed by approval ratings."

Meanwhile, amid the confrontation between the United States and China over the origin of COVID-19, Abe also mentioned, "I believe it is true that COVID-19 spread from China to the world."