Polls & Research
Archive Search
Abe Still Down Before Japanese Ballot
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in Japan offer mixed reviews on their prime minister's government before this Sunday's upper house election, according to three recent public opinion polls. In a survey by Yomiuri, 34.8 per cent of respondents approve of Shinzo Abe's cabinet, up four points in a week.
In a study by Asahi, the cabinet's approval rating stands at 30 per cent. Only 27 per cent of respondents to a poll by Nikkei are satisfied with the government.
In September 2006, Abe became the new leader of the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Japan's 90th prime minister. Abe vowed to "make Japan into a country full of vitality, opportunities and kindness." Abe's tenure has been affected by massive clerical errors within the Social Insurance Agency (SIA), and the suicide of agriculture minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka. An election to the upper chamber of Japan's Diet—the House of Councillors—is scheduled for Jul. 29.
On Jul. 22 in Tokyo, Abe called on voters to support his government, saying, "This is an election in which you choose between reform and setback, and between economic growth and slowdown. We mustn't lose this election."
In Yokohama, New Komeito Clean Government Party (Kt) leader Akihiro Ota urged voters not to support the opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), declaring, "Please help us win. We shouldn't let an irresponsible party lead politics in Japan."
Polling Data
a) Do you approve or disapprove of Shinzo Abe's cabinet?
Jul. 19 | Jul. 12 | Jul. 5 | |
Approve | 34.8% | 30.8% | 32.0% |
Disapprove | 52.6% | 57.7% | 53.9% |
Source: Yomiuri
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,059 Japanese voters, conducted from Jul. 17 to Jul. 19, 2007. No margin of error was provided.
b) Do you approve or disapprove of Shinzo Abe's cabinet?
Jul. 22 | Jul. 15 | Jul. 8 | |
Approve | 30% | 30% | 31% |
Disapprove | 56% | 55% | 51% |
Source: Asahi
Methodology: Interviews to 1,018 Japanese adults, conducted on Jul. 21 and Jul. 22, 2007. No margin of error was provided.
c) Do you approve or disapprove of Shinzo Abe's cabinet?
Jul. 2007 | Jun. 2007 | May 2007 | |
Approve | 27% | 36% | 41% |
Disapprove | 50% | 52% | 44% |
Source: Nikkei
Methodology: Interviews with 900 Japanese adults, conducted from Jul. 19 to Jul. 21, 2007. No margin of error was provided.