Japan PM Takaichi's support falls below 50%, lowest yet

2026-10-19 · Politics · Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's support rate has fallen below 50 percent, the lowest since she took office, Kyodo reported. The decline may have been affected by her slow response surrounding the resignation of farm minister Kazuo Yana. A senior LDP executive, Koichi Hagiuda, apologized for the fact that Yana's remark about budget cuts had led to his replacement as agriculture minister, while denying the former minister's influence on budget cuts. Nikkei Asia noted that Takaichi's do-it-yourself governance style could prove her Achilles heel.

Why it matters：A weakening mandate could complicate Japan's budget, security and trade agenda at a time of regional tension and US pressure.

Key points

• Takaichi's support fell below 50 percent, Kyodo reported.
• The slide may stem from her response to farm minister Kazuo Yana's resignation.
• LDP's Koichi Hagiuda apologized over the episode.

Sources (original reporting)

• Nikkei Asia
• The Japan Times
• The Straits Times

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