Asahi Poll:
Support for the Ishiba Cabinet Rises by 4 Percentage Points to 30%
A recent public opinion poll has found that most Japanese people feel uneasy about the impact of tariff measures by the Donald Trump administration on the Japanese economy, and have little expectation regarding the negotiation abilities of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's cabinet.
On April 21, the Asahi Shimbun reported that in a telephone survey conducted on April 19-20 with 1,240 eligible voters, 85% said they were concerned about the negative impact of President Trump's tariff increases on the Japanese economy. In contrast, only 14% said they did not feel anxious.
In this survey, the percentage of respondents who said they "felt greatly concerned" about the U.S. tariffs rose to 43%, up 14 percentage points from 29% in the February poll.
Regarding the ongoing tariff negotiations with the United States, only 28% said they "have confidence" in the Ishiba administration's capabilities. On the other hand, 70% said they "do not have confidence," a much higher proportion. Additionally, 24% said they "approve" of Prime Minister Ishiba's response to the U.S. tariffs, while 58% said they "do not approve."
Concerning the idea of a consumption tax cut as a response to the U.S. tariffs, 59% said it would be better to "temporarily lower the consumption tax."
The approval rating for the Ishiba cabinet was 30%, up 4 percentage points from the previous survey. Prime Minister Ishiba's approval rating had dropped to the 20% range?considered a "crisis level for resignation"?after it was revealed last month that he had distributed gift certificates worth 100,000 yen (approximately 1 million won) to first-term lawmakers.
In terms of party support, the third-largest opposition party, the Democratic Party for the People, continued to stand out. When asked which party they would vote for if the House of Councillors (upper house) election, expected to be held in July, were held now, 23% chose the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, while 17% chose the Democratic Party for the People.
This was followed by the Constitutional Democratic Party, the largest opposition party, at 12%, the Japan Innovation Party, the second-largest opposition party, and the Reiwa Shinsengumi, the fourth-largest opposition party, both at 7%. Additionally, 56% of respondents said it would be better if the Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, Komeito, did not secure a majority in the upcoming House of Councillors election.
Regarding the Osaka-Kansai Expo (Osaka Expo), which opened on April 13, only 32% said they "want to go," about half the 65% who said they "do not want to go."
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