The Ishiba cabinet approval rating rose to 37.0 percent in June, up from 31.7 percent in May, a Kyodo News poll found. This improvement follows growing public support for revising Japan’s long-standing rice production policies. In the two-day telephone survey, 88.5 percent supported changing the government’s rice policy to boost output. Only 7.6 percent opposed the change. This overwhelming support comes as rice prices remain near historic highs.
Meanwhile, the disapproval rating for the Ishiba cabinet dropped to 48.4 percent, down from 52.6 percent last month. The poll reflects public frustration with the government’s past push to limit rice output through subsidies. Previously, Japan encouraged rice farmers to grow alternative crops. This helped prevent price collapses and reduced surplus. However, a poor harvest caused rice prices to double recently, pushing Ishiba to consider a shift.
Last week, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said key ministers would meet to assess the rice market. The goal is to stabilize supply. As a first step, the government began releasing stockpiled rice to ease shortages. Unlike before, officials now plan to sell rice directly to retailers. Auctions had failed to lower prices quickly. Still, 56.9 percent of those polled found the government’s response inadequate. Only 36.6 percent considered it sufficient.
The improving Ishiba cabinet approval rating comes just weeks before Japan’s upper house election, set for July 20. Yet, not all of the cabinet’s moves are gaining support. About 54.9 percent of respondents rejected the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s plan for 20,000 yen cash handouts. The proposal aimed to offset inflation, but critics called it wasteful. Meanwhile, 41.2 percent backed the idea.
Regarding the election, 25.9 percent said they plan to vote for the LDP in the proportional representation segment. The Democratic Party for the People followed with 11.5 percent. The Constitutional Democratic Party gained 9.2 percent, while the Japan Innovation Party received 5.1 percent. Reiwa Shinsengumi earned 4.3 percent. When asked about general party support, 27.7 percent backed the LDP. Another 10.6 percent supported the Democratic Party for the People. But 27.6 percent said they do not support any party.
The survey included 503 households and 3,407 mobile numbers. It gathered responses from 427 landline users and 622 mobile phone respondents. As rice prices soar and election day nears, the Ishiba cabinet approval rating will remain under close watch.
