Polls Show Takaichi’s Declining Popularity

For the first time since the inauguration in October 2025, approval rate for Sanae Takaichi Cabinet showed apparent decline in the polls conducted by news organizations just before entering election campaign of the Lower House. Main reason of this steep down is skepticism on Takaichi’s decision to have a snap election before FY2026 budget bill passes the Diet. While Takaichi embraces fundamental concern for election campaign, the new opposition party, Centrist Reform Alliance, has not achieved significant approval from voters.

In the poll of Mainichi Shimbun conducted on January 24th and 25th, approval rate for Takaichi Cabinet declined by 10 percent from previous poll last month to 57 percent. Disapproval rate rose by 7 percent to 29 percent. The rate significantly dropped among elder people. The respondents who approved decision of dissolving the House of Representatives were 27 percent, overwhelmed by those who did not approve with 41 percent.

 

Why Takaichi’s decision to have snap election is not popular? 53 percent thought that passing the budget bill was more important than having a snap election. Only a half of those respondents, 26 percent, regarded delay of delivery of FY2026 budget as reasonable. 42 percent thought that simple majority obtained by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) would not be idealistic, while 27 hoped majority by the LDP.

 

The LDP kept 27 percent of support, as the CRA secured 12 percent, taking the top position among the opposition parties. However, 51 percent did not have any expectation to the CRA, while 17 percent did in the poll. The Democratic Party for the People followed with 7 percent of support, leaving behind Japan Innovation Party and Sanseito with 4 percent each.

 

In the poll of Yomiuri Shimbun, approval rate for Takaichi Cabinet also declined by 4 percent to 69 percent. Disapproval for her cabinet increased by 9 percent to 23 percent. As 38 percent approved her decision of snap election, 52 percent disapproved it. It was notable that 72 percent approved her economic policy of “responsible and proactive public finances” and 59 percent approved her policy toward China, 54 percent disapproved her measures on price inflation.

 

The poll by Nikkei Shimbun also showed 8 percent of down in approval for Takaichi Cabinet to 67 percent, as disapproval rose by 8 percent to 26 percent. 56 percent thought that consumption tax cut would not work well and 59 percent hoped that the rate of consumption tax should be maintained at current level. It indicated that consumers were worried more about social security, which is supported by revenue of consumption tax, than impact of the tax on foods.

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