Takaichi Cabinet Approval Falls Below 50%

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi publicly reprimanded agriculture minister Kazuo Yana in parliament over remarks about cutting road funding for municipalities that did not support him. Yana later resigned amid criticism of those remarks and alleged violations of the Public Offices Election Act. A Kyodo News poll conducted October 17-18 put cabinet approval at 49.1%, down 4.3 points from the prior month and the first reading below 50% since Takaichi took office in October last year. Disapproval rose to 33% from 30.9%. Other recent polls ranged from 47.1% to 57%, with The Japan News at 57%. On the Yana episode, 57.7% of Kyodo respondents said Takaichi waited too long to dismiss him, 81.5% said the resignation was appropriate, and 54.7% said it would negatively affect cabinet performance. Separately, 65.1% expressed concern that a proposed cut in the consumption tax on food and beverages from 8% to 1% for two years starting in April could hurt public finances. Education minister Yoshihiro Seki also apologized over improperly organized political fundraising events.