LDP Approval Rating at 28.6%... Lowest in 11 Years Since Regaining Power

A public opinion poll revealed that the support rate for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Japan has dropped to its lowest level since regaining power at the end of 2012.

According to NHK on the 11th, a survey conducted from the 8th to the 10th among 1,206 citizens aged 18 and over (valid respondents) showed that the LDP's support rate fell by 1.9 percentage points from the previous month to 28.6%. This is the lowest level since the LDP took power in December 2012.

This is the second time the LDP's support rate has fallen below 30% since returning to power, following December of last year (29.5%). The main reason for the decline in LDP support is related to a slush fund issue. Japanese politicians hold events called "parties" to raise political funds. Since the end of last year, LDP politicians have been suspected of creating large slush funds from political funds raised at these parties. In response, Prime Minister Kishida appeared before the parliamentary ethics committee and publicly apologized, becoming the first sitting prime minister to do so.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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