June 07, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The appointed government of Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has lost public support over the past month, according to a poll by Asahi. Only 30 per cent of respondents approve of Abe's cabinet, down six points since May.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The appointed government of Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has lost public support over the past month, according to a poll by Asahi. Only 30 per cent of respondents approve of Abe's cabinet, down six points since May.

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."

An election to the upper chamber of Japan's Diet—the House of Councillors—is scheduled for Jul. 22. In March, Abe said he would "go into the elections with the current cabinet." Several cabinet members have been involved in scandals since taking office, including health minister Hakuo Yanagisawa, who publicly called women "birth-giving machines."

On Jun. 6, Abe vowed to play a major role in the world's fight against global warming, saying, "The European Union and the United States still remain divided. That is why Japan has to take the initiative to lead all the countries in one direction that they can basically accept. I feel that is our important responsibility."

Polling Data

Do you approve or disapprove of Shinzo Abe's cabinet?

	Jun. 2007	May 2007
Approve	30%	36%
Disapprove	49%	42%

Source: Asahi
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,045 Japanese adults, conducted on Jun. 2 and Jun. 3, 2007. No margin of error was provided.