Japan’s ruling LDP scandals weigh on support for PM Fumio Kishida’s cabinet

Support for PM Kishida’s cabinet fell to its second-lowest level ever, with most people unhappy over the ruling LDP’s political funds scandal

Survey also suggests Kishida is far from regaining the public’s trust, as most respondents do not accept his efforts on party reforms

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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (2nd from left) and other officials offer a silent prayer during the inaugural meeting of a government task force on rebuilding central Japan areas damaged by the New Year’s Day earthquake. The approval rating of the Kishida cabinet hit an all-time low in December last year at 22.3 per cent. Photo: Kyodo

Published: 8:52pm, 4 Feb 2024

The support rate for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s cabinet fell 2.8 percentage points to 24.5 per cent, marking its second-lowest rating, a Kyodo News survey showed on Sunday, with most respondents indicating discontent with his fact-finding efforts regarding the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s political funds scandal.

Some 84.9 per cent said LDP lawmakers who failed to report income from fundraising parties should explain what they used the funds for, while 87 per cent expect the party’s reform proposals drawn up in an interim report will not help the LDP restore public trust.

The approval rating of the Kishida cabinet hit an all-time low in December last year at 22.3 per cent, wavering in the 20 per cent range for the past four polls, including the previous survey last month.

The disapproval rating rose by 1.4 points from the previous poll to 58.9 per cent.

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida answers questions from reporters at the prime minister’s office in Tokyo on January 19. Photo: AFP

The LDP, led by Kishida, has come under intense scrutiny amid allegations that three of its factions, including the one he led until December, failed to report portions of its revenues from fundraising parties and created slush funds to distribute the proceeds to members.