Support Reaches 75%, Maintaining a High Level

The approval rating for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s cabinet has reached 75% in the latest public opinion survey, maintaining an exceptionally high level since the administration took office. According to a survey conducted by TV Tokyo and Nikkei Inc. from November 28 to 30, the approval rating rose by one point from 74% in the October poll. The disapproval rating fell by one point to 18%. About a month after its inauguration, the Takaichi Cabinet continues to enjoy remarkably strong support. Other major surveys—including those by the Yomiuri Shimbun—also report approval ratings in the low 70% range, a level that ranks among the highest compared with past administrations.

More specifically, the approval rating is comparable to levels seen at the launch of the Junichiro Koizumi Cabinet and the second Shinzo Abe Cabinet. As Japan’s first female prime minister, Takaichi appears to be attracting public support fueled by a sense of freshness and expectations for reform.
Survey results also show that many people—especially younger generations—welcome the historic milestone of Japan’s first female prime minister, with comments such as “a historic step forward for Japanese society” and “a new sense of expectation for change in Japan.” Meanwhile, only a small share (1.3%) expressed concerns simply because the prime minister is a woman.

Background of Support: High Ratings for Character and Leadership

A major factor behind the high approval rating is the strong public evaluation of Prime Minister Takaichi herself. In this survey, the most common reason given for supporting the cabinet was “trustworthy character” (37%), followed by “strong leadership” (34%) and “good policies” (30%). This suggests that the prime minister’s personal qualities—such as integrity and decisiveness—are contributing to public support even more than specific policies.

By age group, approval exceeded 80% among younger and working-age voters, with men in their 40s surpassing 90%. In contrast, approval stood at around 70% among people in their 60s and in the high 50% range among those in their 70s. Analysts note that while older generations tend to be cautious about diplomacy and fiscal policy, younger generations favor more proactive and assertive approaches. This alignment with the Takaichi administration’s active stance is reflected in the higher approval from younger voters.

Additionally, the structure of support shows a notable trend: younger generations—once seen as more critical of conservative governments—are now expressing stronger support for the current administration than older generations. This marks a distinctive feature of the Takaichi Cabinet’s support base.

Strong Backing for Her Stance on Diplomacy and Security

Prime Minister Takaichi, often described as a staunch conservative, has also taken a firm stance on national security and foreign policy. Regarding her statement in the Diet that “Japan may exercise its right to collective self-defense in the event of a Taiwan contingency,” the survey found that 55% considered the remark “appropriate,” far surpassing the 30% who viewed it as “inappropriate.”

This suggests that a majority of the public accepts a more forward-leaning security posture from Japan. Nearly 70% of respondents in their 40s and younger supported the statement, while agreement declined with age—around 60% among those in their 50s and dropping into the 40% range among those in their 70s.

Regarding the current tensions between Japan and China, more than half of respondents in their 30s to 50s said they were “not particularly worried,” whereas a majority of those 60 and older said they felt “concerned,” highlighting generational differences in risk perception.

Overall, Prime Minister Takaichi’s firm approach to diplomacy and national security appears to provide reassurance to many voters.

Expectations for Economic Policy and Future Challenges

In Japan, consumer prices continue to rise at around 3% year-on-year due to soaring energy costs, putting pressure on household budgets. From the early days of her administration, Prime Minister Takaichi has promoted measures such as eliminating the temporary gasoline tax surcharge and implementing tax cuts to counter rising prices. This proactive economic stance has contributed significantly to the cabinet’s strong support.
In the survey, 69% of respondents said they “approve” of the government’s policy of “responsible proactive fiscal spending,” which balances active fiscal stimulus with fiscal discipline. Temporary reductions in the gasoline tax and other efforts to ease household burdens appear to be fostering public trust.

Support for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has also risen to 41%, reflecting how the Takaichi Cabinet’s popularity is boosting the ruling party. By contrast, other major opposition parties—including the Constitutional Democratic Party (6%) and Nippon Ishin (5%)—remain in the single digits, underscoring the LDP’s continued strength.

The administration’s high approval rating reinforces the ruling party’s advantage, making the environment increasingly challenging for the opposition. However, analysis by FNN warns that while gasoline prices have fallen due to the tax cut, fewer than 40% of people say they “feel the effects,” and if the public does not perceive improvements—or if rapid yen depreciation or rising interest rates negatively impact daily life—the approval rating could decline.

In a separate question regarding the timing of a possible dissolution of the House of Representatives, the largest share (53%) said “there is no need to rush.” With nearly a year remaining before the lower house term expires in autumn 2025, calls for an early election remain limited. While some younger voters favor an early election, about 60% of older voters prefer a cautious approach. Reports indicate that Prime Minister Takaichi also believes she should wait until concrete achievements—such as passing the national budget—are secured before making a decision.

Prime Minister Takaichi faces challenging decisions across multiple fronts, including economic and price measures that directly affect people’s daily lives, as well as responses to an increasingly volatile international environment. For this reason, both domestic and international observers are watching closely to see whether she can maintain the administration’s current high approval rating. Furthermore, the direction of the Takaichi government is expected to significantly influence the outcome of the next general election and the public’s judgment of the ruling party.