Politics · Japan · 1 hr ago
Support for Japan's Takaichi Cabinet Falls to 49.1%
Support for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet fell to 49.1%, its lowest level since she took office in October 2025.
The nationwide phone poll was conducted in Japan on October 17 and 18.
Farm Minister Kazuo Yana resigned after facing criticism for remarks about cutting road funding to municipalities that did not support him.
About 58% of respondents said Takaichi was too slow to replace him, while 81.5% said Yana's resignation was appropriate.
More than half said the scandal could affect the government's political future, and it may have contributed to the cabinet's falling support.
Over 65% worried a planned food tax cut could hurt public finances and social spending, despite the measure having been generally welcomed.
Support for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s cabinet fell to 49.1%, its lowest level since she took office.
The Kyodo poll said this was the first time support had fallen below 50%.
Some 33% of respondents said they did not support the cabinet, while 17.9% did not answer.
Nearly 58% said Takaichi was too late in replacing farm minister Kazuo Yana, who resigned after criticism over remarks about cutting road funding.
More than half of respondents said the scandal could affect the government’s political future.
- Who
- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her cabinet.
- What
- Cabinet approval fell to 49.1%, a record low since Takaichi took office.
- When
- The poll was conducted on October 17 and 18, 2026.
- Where
- Across Japan.
- Why
- The decline may have been affected by Takaichi’s response to the scandal involving farm minister Kazuo Yana.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Takaichi appointed Kazuo Yana as farm minister in a cabinet reshuffle.
Local media reported Yana’s remarks about cutting road funding for municipalities that did not support him.
Yana resigned as farm minister after coming under fire for the remarks.
Kyodo conducted a poll across Japan that found cabinet approval at 49.1%.
- Cabinet approval
- 49.1%
- Cabinet disapproval
- 33%
- No answer
- 17.9%
- Poll dates
- October 17–18, 2026
- Respondents saying Yana’s replacement came too late
- 57.7%
7 sources
Takaichi’s support rate falls below 50%, lowest since taking office, Kyodo reports
Support for Takaichi cabinet down below 50% for first time — Kyodo poll
Japan PM Takaichi’s support rate falls below 50%, lowest since taking office: Report
Takaichi Cabinet approval rate hits record low at 49.1%: Kyodo poll
What people are saying
too late
natural for Yana to resign