Japan PM Ishiba Cabinet Approval Rating Around 24%-32% Amid Mixed Polls, Cash Handout Policy Disapproval

The approval rating of Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's cabinet has shown fluctuations in recent months according to multiple opinion polls. A Mainichi Shimbun survey conducted on June 28-29 reported the cabinet's approval rating steady at 24%, with 61% disapproval and nearly 70% of respondents not favoring the government's cash handout policy. Subsequent polls showed varying results: a Yomiuri survey indicated a 32% approval rating with 45% approval of the government's rice policy, while an NHK poll before the Upper House election reported a decline to 31%. A JNN poll in early July recorded a 32.8% approval rating, down 1.8 points from the previous survey. The Kyodo poll on July 22 showed a further drop to 22.9%, marking a new low. The Nikkei poll later in July reported a 32% approval rating, down 5 points, while the Asahi and Mainichi polls showed slight variations around 29% and 31.6%. Overall, Ishiba's cabinet approval ratings have remained relatively low and volatile, with no clear upward trend despite some expectations for improvement.