Japan’s government approval rating sees record surge in 17 years

Public support for the Japanese government led by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has risen by 17 percentage points, marking the sharpest increase since 2008, despite the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) defeat in July’s upper house elections.

According to a Yomiuri poll cited by Report, the government’s approval rating now stands at 39%, up from 22% in July. Disapproval fell by the same margin, dropping to 50%.

The survey also revealed shifting public sentiment regarding Ishiba’s resignation: only 42% of respondents now believe he should step down following the election setback, while 50% oppose his resignation. A month earlier, 54% favored Ishiba’s departure and 35% opposed it.

Analysts attribute the upswing in support partly to the outcome of tariff negotiations with the United States, which resulted in duties being lowered to 15%, as well as government measures to curb rising rice prices.