Japan Ishiba Cabinet Approval Rating at 42%... Drops 8.7%P Just 10 Days After Inauguration

A survey revealed that the approval rating of the Japanese Cabinet led by Shigeru Ishiba, which was launched on the 1st, dropped by more than 8 percentage points in just over ten days.

According to Kyodo News on the 13th, a telephone poll conducted over two days until that day targeting 1,264 people ahead of the House of Representatives election scheduled for the 27th showed that the approval rating of the Ishiba Cabinet was 42%, down 8.7 percentage points from the survey conducted on the 1st and 2nd of this month. The percentage of respondents who did not support the Ishiba Cabinet rose 7.8 percentage points from 28.9% to 36.7%.

In the proportional representation vote, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) received the highest support at 26.4%, followed by the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party with 12.4%.

Regarding Ishiba Prime Minister's response to not nominating 12 lawmakers disciplined for involvement in the LDP's 'slush fund scandal,' 71.6% responded that it was 'insufficient.' Only 22.1% thought it was 'sufficient.' Additionally, 65.2% of respondents indicated their intention to 'consider' the slush fund issue when voting.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is attending the East Asia Summit (EAS) held at the National Convention Center (NCC) in Vientiane, Laos, on the 11th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, at a ruling and opposition party leaders' debate hosted by public broadcaster NHK on the same day, Prime Minister Ishiba stated regarding the request by the coalition Komeito Party and some opposition leaders for observer participation in the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), "There is no intention to neglect it," and "We will consider it carefully." However, Ishiba pointed out the challenge by saying, "Around Japan, there are only nuclear-armed countries and dictatorial regimes," and questioned, "How can we reconcile relying on the U.S. nuclear deterrent while at the same time banning (nuclear weapons)?"

In another debate the previous day, Ishiba also maintained a cautious stance on whether to participate as an observer in the TPNW, stating, "We must not divert our attention from nuclear deterrence. While recognizing deterrence, it is necessary to verify whether nuclear disarmament can truly coexist."

In Japan, interest in the nuclear disarmament movement has increased following the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo (Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations) on the 11th. However, Prime Minister Ishiba has taken a passive stance on TPNW participation, citing the severe security environment. In response, Terumi Tanaka, the representative of Nihon Hidankyo, criticized Ishiba's plan to operate nuclear sharing with the U.S. at a press conference the previous day, saying, "I am very angry. If you understand the fear of nuclear weapons, I want you to think about it."