Overview

• Mainichi’s Aug. 23–24 nationwide survey puts cabinet approval at 33%, up four points from late July, with 43% saying resignation is not necessary versus 39% saying he should step down.
• Kyodo’s phone poll the same days records approval at 35.4%, up 12.5 points, and finds 57.5% say resignation is unnecessary, though disapproval remains higher at 49.8%.
• Public opinion on moving up the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election is closely divided, with 38% favoring an earlier vote and 40% saying it is unnecessary.
• Supporters most often cite the lack of better alternatives (52%), while critics point to weak policy expectations (39%) and doubts about the prime minister’s leadership (38%).
• Policy pressure persists as 61.5% in the Kyodo poll say the government should accept the opposition’s proposal to cut the consumption tax.