Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi responds to questions from reporters at the Prime Minister's Office on November 21 after the Cabinet decided on the comprehensive economic measures. (©Sankei by Ataru Haruna)
In a joint opinion poll conducted by The Sankei Shimbun and FNN (Fuji News Network) on December 20–21, the approval rating for the Sanae Takaichi Cabinet reached 75.9%, maintaining its highest level since the administration took office.
A key driver of this support has been the expansion of the Cabinet's base of support, with gains among younger voters, previously a core constituency for emerging parties. Approval has also increased in regions where the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has traditionally been weaker. This broad, multilayered support has emerged as a defining strength of the administration.
Broken down by age group, approval stood at 92.4% among those aged 18-29, 83.1% of those in their 30s, 77.8% in their 40s, and 78.0% in their 50s. All of these are above the overall average.
Support also remained solid among older generations, at 69.0% for those in their 60s and 65.9% among those aged 70 and above. While the Cabinet enjoys strong backing across all age groups, its exceptional popularity among younger voters stands out.
A Generational Turnaround
By contrast, a survey conducted from September 20-21, toward the end of the Shigeru Ishiba administration, recorded an overall approval rating of 37.9%, with support among those aged 18–29 at just 14.4%, well below the average. The Ishiba Cabinet struggled to attract younger voters, relying instead on a support base concentrated among older age groups.
Under Prime Minister Takaichi, however, enthusiasm has spread through what has become known as "Sana-katsu," a trend in which young supporters purchase items associated with her. This reflects a broader shift toward a support structure that resonates with younger generations. Notably, voters aged 18–29 have also consistently expressed positive views toward the administration's individual policy initiatives.
Policies That Resonate Nationwide
In the latest survey, 88.1% of respondents aged 18–29 said they either "approve" or "somewhat approve" of the government's comprehensive economic stimulus package. Support for raising the income threshold at which income tax applies, the so-called "income wall," was even stronger, at 93.9%.
Among the same age group, 70.6% backed the restart of nuclear power plants. Meanwhile, 83.6% approved of a bill submitted during the recent extraordinary Diet session by the LDP and Nippon Ishin no Kai to reduce the number of seats in the Lower House. Each of these figures was the highest among all age groups surveyed.
The Takaichi Cabinet has also secured broad-based regional support with little variation. By proportional representation bloc, approval was highest in the Kinki region, which includes Prime Minister Takaichi's home prefecture of Nara, at 81.8%. Support was also strong in Hokkaido, often regarded as an opposition stronghold, at 72.4%, and in Tohoku, where approval reached 79.3%.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
