Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi’s approval rating falls as voters question how she will pay for her proposed two-year food tax waiver
TOKYO: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s approval rating has declined as voters question how she will fund her recent tax-cut pledge.
Surveys released on Monday show the nationalist leader’s government approval falling to 67% from 75% in December, according to the Nikkei newspaper.
This marks the first time her rating has dropped below 70% since she took office last October.
The dip follows criticism over her decision to call a snap election for February 8, just over a year after the last lower-house election.
Takaichi, Japan’s first woman prime minister, says the election is necessary to gauge public support for her new coalition government.
After her appointment three months ago, she formed a coalition between her Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party to gain a slim majority.
A key campaign pledge is to waive the consumption tax on food for two years.
“But 56% of respondents to the new Nikkei poll said they did not think a zero tax rate on food would be effective against rising prices,” the business daily reported.
A Mainichi Shimbun poll also showed Takaichi’s approval rating dropping to 57% from 67% in December.
The Mainichi said many people were frustrated by the abrupt election, which slowed legislative debates on the new budget.
A Yomiuri Shimbun poll indicated the government’s popularity fell four points to 69%.
Many respondents expressed a desire to see more economic programmes to tackle soaring prices.