TOKYO, August 3 — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s cabinet approval rating has plunged to its lowest level since she took office in October 2025, driven by mounting public frustration over soaring living costs, a depreciating yen, and a highly controversial royal succession policy.
Recent polls from major Japanese media outlets, including Nikkei, Asahi Shimbun, and Kyodo News, indicate the approval rating has dropped below the 50% threshold, with some surveys placing it as low as 49%. This downturn spans across all age demographics, with support among voters in their 60s plummeting by nearly 24 percentage points in a single month.
A primary catalyst for the public backlash is the cabinet’s legislative move to retain the male-only imperial succession rule. Polls reveal that 81% of the public favors allowing female emperors, and nearly half believe the recent revision to the Imperial House Law lacks public understanding.
Compounding the political crisis is a deteriorating economic landscape. The yen has weakened to a 40-year low, and inflation remains stubbornly high. Takaichi’s expansionary fiscal policies have sparked severe market concerns regarding Japan’s fiscal sustainability. Critics accuse the Prime Minister of focusing on symbolic legislation rather than tangible livelihood improvements, with 80% of undecided voters disapproving of her inflation countermeasures. Furthermore, media editorials have criticized her for an “arrogant” leadership style and avoiding parliamentary scrutiny.
In response to the plunging popularity, Takaichi is strategizing a political comeback. She is considering a cabinet reshuffle in August or September to inject fresh faces. Additionally, despite internal party resistance and fiscal pressures, she is pushing to reduce the food consumption tax to 1% by 2027. However, financial analysts warn that such aggressive fiscal expansion could further drive up interest rates and destabilize the bond market.
From a global perspective, Takaichi’s domestic vulnerabilities may inevitably influence Japan’s foreign policy, particularly its complex relationship with China. With the APEC summit approaching in Shenzhen, diplomatic circles are closely watching whether a politically weakened Takaichi will adjust her confrontational stance toward Beijing. Analysts note that if domestic economic pressures intensify or business leaders demand stabilized ties, Tokyo might be compelled to seek a bilateral meeting with Chinese leaders. For now, diplomatic friction persists, underscoring the high stakes of Takaichi’s political survival and its broader geopolitical implications.