The Ishiba Cabinet has experienced a significant boost in support following weeks of political uncertainty and internal party debate. According to a new Kyodo News survey, public approval for the Ishiba Cabinet rose to 35.4 percent. This comes after a sharp drop in support to just 22.9 percent last month.
Although the ruling coalition lost its majority in the House of Councillors during the July election, most voters believe Ishiba should stay. In fact, 57.5 percent of respondents said there is no need for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to resign. This marks a strong shift in public sentiment compared to the previous poll.
Meanwhile, only 40 percent now believe he should step down. That number fell by more than 11 percentage points from the previous survey. Despite mounting pressure from inside the Liberal Democratic Party, Ishiba has remained firm in his decision to stay in office.
Importantly, the coalition also lost its majority in the House of Representatives last October. However, Ishiba continues to lead and recently won the LDP presidential race, securing a term until 2027. Within the party, discussions have begun on whether to move up the leadership election. Still, Ishiba remains one of the top choices for leadership. A new survey shows Sanae Takaichi leading preferences with 24.5 percent, followed by Shinjiro Koizumi at 20.1 percent. Ishiba came in third with 13.1 percent.
Economic concerns also dominated voter opinions. A majority of respondents—61.5 percent—support the opposition’s call to cut the consumption tax. Meanwhile, the LDP favors cash handouts to offset inflation’s impact. On agricultural issues, 54.4 percent of respondents believe that boosting rice production will help stabilize prices. This shift follows a steep increase in rice costs earlier this year.
Regarding trade talks with the United States, only 34.4 percent expressed strong support for the government’s handling. On the other hand, 58.7 percent felt the approach lacked effectiveness. Public interest also turned toward historical issues. As Japan marks the 80th anniversary of its World War II surrender, 61.5 percent of respondents want Ishiba to share his views on Japan’s wartime role. Government sources suggest he may speak on September 2, the date Japan officially surrendered in 1945.
Party support remained fragmented. The LDP secured 22.5 percent, while the Constitutional Democratic Party and the Democratic Party for the People each drew 10.4 percent. Support for the Sanseito party rose to 11.2 percent. Notably, 14.6 percent of respondents said they do not support any political party. The survey contacted 509 households and 3,901 mobile numbers. Ultimately, it received responses from 425 household members and 631 mobile users. Despite recent losses and criticism, the Ishiba Cabinet has regained momentum. Public backing, while still cautious, appears to be shifting in Ishiba’s favor.
