Support for Japan PM Ishiba surges despite election defeat, poll shows
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Support for Mr Shigeru Ishiba’s Cabinet stood at 39 per cent, surging by 17 percentage points from July’s survey taken after the Upper House election.
PHOTO: AFP
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TOKYO - Support for Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba surged nearly 20 percentage points, a Yomiuri newspaper public opinion poll showed on Aug 25, despite his ruling coalition losing its majority in July's parliamentary election.
Support for Mr Ishiba’s Cabinet stood at 39 per cent, surging by 17 percentage points from July’s survey taken after the Upper House election. The disapproval rate fell to 50 per cent from July’s 67 per cent.
The public approval for the Prime Minister likely bounced thanks to factors such as Japan reaching a trade deal with the US and the government’s announcement of increasing rice production to counter the sharp price rise, the newspaper reported.
Mr Ishiba vowed to stay in his post after the election defeat, fending off demands by some of his Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers to resign to take responsibility.
Asked whether he should step down following the election results, 42 per cent said “yes”, down from July’s 54 per cent, the Yomiuri survey showed.
Around 50 per cent of respondents said Mr Ishiba did not need to resign, up from 35 per cent in the previous poll. REUTERS
