On the 16th, Japan’s Jiji Press released the results of an opinion poll showing that 49.0% of respondents approved of the Takaichi Cabinet.
This was the lowest approval rating since the cabinet was inaugurated in October 2025. In particular, support among people in their 60s plunged by more than 20 percentage points, from 63.7% to 39.9%.
As for the reasons given by those who did not support the Takaichi Cabinet, many respondents reportedly said that “there is nothing to look forward to” and that “its policies are not good.”
Earlier, criticism had also continued over the government’s push for legislation that would impose penalties for damaging the Japanese national flag. In early July, a petition opposing the legislation was submitted.
Meanwhile, according to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 14th, Prime Minister Takaichi sent a written message on the 13th to the “Summit of the Coalition of the Willing on Ukraine,” hosted by the French government, expressing support for Ukraine and for imposing sanctions on Russia.
Takaichi argued that “in order to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine, it is important for the countries concerned to unite and coordinate their efforts, together with U.S. engagement to encourage Russia to take positive and immediate action.”
