Tokyo: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is facing growing public pressure after a new opinion poll showed a sharp decline in support for her government. Rising prices and the increasing cost of daily life have become the biggest concerns for many Japanese families, leading to dissatisfaction with the government's efforts to control inflation.
A survey conducted by the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper between July 24 and July 26 found that Takaichi's cabinet approval rating had fallen to 57 percent from 69 percent in June. It is the first time since she became prime minister that her approval rating has dropped below 60 percent. At the same time, the percentage of people who disapprove of her government rose to 34 percent, compared with 21 percent in the previous month.
The poll also revealed that 71 percent of respondents were unhappy with the government's response to inflation. That figure was much higher than the 56 percent recorded in June, showing that public frustration has grown quickly as prices continue to rise.
Japan has experienced a steady increase in the cost of food, electricity, fuel and imported goods over the past several years. While inflation has slowed compared with earlier highs, many households continue to struggle with expensive groceries and higher living costs. The weaker Japanese yen has made imported products more costly, adding further pressure on consumers.
The latest poll reflects the growing concern among voters that the government's measures have not been enough to ease the financial burden on ordinary families. Many people believe that more direct support is needed to help households manage rising expenses.
Takaichi has defended her economic policies, saying that her administration is focused on strengthening Japan's long term economy while providing relief to families. One of her key promises has been to suspend the country's 8 percent food consumption tax for a limited period to reduce the cost of essential items.
The proposal has attracted public attention, but it has also raised questions among economists and politicians. Critics argue that reducing the food tax could create a large gap in government revenue at a time when Japan already has one of the highest public debt levels among developed countries. Some members of Takaichi's own Liberal Democratic Party have also asked for a clearer explanation of how the government would pay for the tax cut.
Speaking during a public appearance on Sunday, the prime minister said that her government's policies would help improve confidence in the Japanese economy and eventually strengthen the yen. She also repeated that decisions on interest rates remain the responsibility of the Bank of Japan, although the government and the central bank continue to work closely together on economic policy.
The value of the yen has remained weak against the United States dollar, making imports more expensive for businesses and consumers. Analysts say this has become one of the main reasons why food and energy prices have remained high.
Financial markets are also watching the Bank of Japan closely. Many economists now expect the central bank to raise interest rates again before the end of the year if inflation continues to remain above its target. A higher interest rate could help support the yen and reduce inflation, but it could also slow economic growth by increasing borrowing costs for businesses and consumers.
Several international news organisations, including Channel News Asia, The Straits Times and Reuters, have reported that inflation and the rising cost of living are now the biggest political challenge facing the Takaichi government. Market experts have also expressed concern about Japan's growing fiscal deficit and the long term cost of new spending measures.
Despite the latest decline, Takaichi's approval rating remains higher than that of many previous Japanese prime ministers during similar periods in office. Political analysts say this gives her government some room to recover if it can show progress in reducing living costs and restoring confidence in the economy.
However, the latest poll serves as a clear warning that inflation has become the defining issue for Japanese voters. With families continuing to feel the impact of higher prices, the coming months are expected to test whether the government can deliver effective economic relief while maintaining confidence in Japan's long term financial stability.