Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at the Lower House Budget Committee on the morning of November 7. (©Sankei by Ataru Haruna)
A public opinion poll conducted on November 22 and 23 showed that approval of the Sanae Takaichi Cabinet stood at 75.2%. This is only a slight 0.2-point decrease from the previous survey conducted on October 25–26, and approval remains high. The disapproval rate rose by 0.5 points to 19.6%. The poll was jointly carried out by The Sankei Shimbun and Fuji News Network (FNN).
Japan-China Relations
Respondents were also asked for their reactions to the Prime Minister's statement on Taiwan. On November 7, Takaichi told Diet members that a Taiwan contingency could be considered a "survival-threatening crisis" for Japan. She said that, if those conditions exist, it could allow Japan to exercise collective self-defense, but emphasized that it could not be used solely to protect another country.
In response, 61.0% of respondents said her remark was "appropriate," including those who answered "somewhat appropriate."
Regarding the social media post by China's Consul-General in Osaka, Xue Jian — "If you stick that filthy neck where it doesn't belong, it'll be cut off without hesitation" — 35.0% of respondents said that issuing a protest would be enough. Another 29.5% supported expulsion, and 34.5% did not take a position.
Public opinion on tensions between Japan and China, partly due to Beijing's newly issued travel advisories against Japan, was almost evenly divided. About 49.3% said they were "very concerned" or "somewhat concerned," while 49.9% said they were "somewhat unconcerned" or "not concerned at all."
Economy and Bear Attacks
The government's comprehensive economic package totaling ¥21.3 trillion received broad approval, with 66.2% saying they "approve" or "somewhat approve."
However, following the agreement by six ruling and opposition parties to abolish the provisional gasoline tax rate, which lowered prices through increased subsidies, only 37.2% said they had actually noticed a change. A majority of 59.4% said they had not.
On government measures in response to the rise in bear attacks, including deployment of the Self-Defense Forces and allowing police officers to use rifles, 71.8% said the actions were "appropriate."
Party Support Rates
Opinions were divided on the possibility of the Prime Minister dissolving the Lower House and calling an early general election. About 44.1% said they "support" it, while 50.0% said they "do not support" it. Overall, cautious views slightly outweighed support.
Party support rates were as follows.
- Liberal Democratic Party (LDP): 27.6%, down 0.5 points from the previous poll
- Nippon Ishin no Kai: 3.8%, down 1.9 points
- Constitutional Democratic Party: 5.3%, down 1.0 point
- Sanseito: 4.5%, down 0.5 points
- Democratic Party for the People: 4.0%, down 0.6 points
The poll was conducted via landline and mobile phones. It collected responses from 1,020 men and women aged 18 and older nationwide. Age distribution, gender ratio, and region of residence were sampled and adjusted to match the latest national census data.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
