Takaichi cabinet approval rating holds at 64% as public splits over price measures
Nationwide telephone poll (April 18–19) finds Takaichi cabinet approval rating at 64%, disapproval 24%; public is divided on inflation response and supply disruption worries.
A nationwide telephone poll conducted on April 18 and 19 found the Takaichi cabinet approval rating at 64%, up from 61% the previous month, while disapproval stood at 24%.
The survey also showed a sharp division over the prime minister’s handling of rising prices, with 40% saying they approve of the measures and 44% saying they do not.
Poll Findings and Overall Support Levels
The poll’s headline figures indicate that the Takaichi cabinet continues to maintain a historically high level of public backing six months after taking office.
Support edged up three percentage points month-on-month, keeping the administration within the upper range of recent postwar governments at comparable points in their terms.
Disapproval remained below a quarter of respondents, suggesting that while broad support endures, the government’s position is not unassailable.
Analysts say the combination of steady approval and persistent pockets of concern points to a government that enjoys institutional strength but faces policy-specific vulnerabilities.
Public Reaction to Price Measures Is Split
On the question of how the government has responded to rising consumer prices, public opinion was narrowly tilted against the cabinet.
Forty percent of respondents said they “evaluate” the prime minister’s actions positively, while 44% said they “do not evaluate” them positively, reflecting a near-even split.
The contrast among partisan and attitudinal groups was stark: more than half of cabinet supporters endorsed the government’s price measures, while an overwhelming majority of opponents rejected them.
This polarization suggests that economic messaging and concrete relief measures will be decisive for shifting broader public sentiment going forward.
Support Base and Shifts Since Inauguration
Supporters cited confidence in leadership continuity and overall policy direction as central reasons for backing the cabinet, according to follow-up questions in the survey.
However, the poll also captured signs of changing priorities since the cabinet’s inauguration six months ago, with economic pressures and daily living costs rising up the list of voter concerns.
Those shifts appear to have attenuated earlier enthusiasm among some segments of the electorate, even as core supporters remain committed.
Political strategists note that sustaining approval will likely require both visible short-term relief and credible medium-term plans to curb inflationary pressure.
Widening Gap Between Ruling and Opposition Parties
The survey documented a widening gap in party support, with the ruling party maintaining a larger share of backing compared with opposition groups.
This divergence was mirrored in confidence levels for the prime minister and cabinet, reinforcing the government’s current parliamentary advantage.
Observers said the gap complicates opposition efforts to mount a unified counter-narrative, but warned that issue-specific discontent—particularly on prices—could narrow the margin if it persists.
Local election outcomes and policy rollouts in the coming months will be critical tests of whether the current lead is durable.
International Tensions and Household Supply Concerns
The poll also asked respondents about anxieties tied to international developments, especially disruptions stemming from tensions in the Middle East.
A substantial majority expressed concern that overseas instability could affect domestic supplies of everyday goods, underscoring the fragility of public confidence on issues beyond pure economic policy.
Officials’ handling of foreign policy and supply-chain risks showed mixed ratings in the survey, indicating that diplomatic and trade responses are increasingly salient to voters.
Experts say the linkage between international events and pocketbook issues may amplify swings in public opinion if supply or price shocks materialize.
The poll’s findings present a picture of an administration that remains widely supported but faces clear fault lines on economic management and external risks.
With the upcoming policy decisions and international developments likely to influence public judgment, the cabinet’s capacity to translate approval into sustained political capital will be tested in the months ahead.
