Nhk Poll: Kishida Cabinet Approval Rate Rises To 55%

Among the respondents who support the Cabinet, 43 percent said it seems better than other lineups, 21 percent said it consists of political parties they support, and another 18 percent said they trust Kishida.

Of those who don't support the Cabinet, 37 percent said they don't expect much from its policies, 27 percent said it lacks the ability to implement policies, and 18 percent said it does not consist of political parties they support.

Asked about their assessment of the government's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, 8 percent said they rate it highly, while 60 percent approved of it to some degree. But 20 percent said they don't rate the response highly and 4 percent said they do not have a positive view of it at all.

With regard to the government's expulsion of eight Russian diplomats and officials as part of sanctions on Russia, 18 percent said they assess the move highly, while 45 percent agreed with it to some degree. But 21 percent said they don't view the move highly and 6 percent said they don't approve of it at all.

The government decided on an emergency package to tackle rising prices amid the Ukraine crisis, including subsidies for gasoline wholesalers and for low-income households with children.

Asked about the measures, 11 percent said they rate them highly, while 46 percent approved of them to some degree. But 28 percent said they don't rate the measures highly and 7 percent said they don't support them at all.

As for the government's response to the coronavirus pandemic, 11 percent rated it highly, while 49 percent approved of it to some extent. But 28 percent did not rate it highly and 5 percent did not agree with it at all.

Asked which of its coronavirus measures the government should prioritize, 38 percent said it should focus on preventing the spread of infections, while 51 percent said recovery of economic activities was most important.

Regarding the defense budget, 14 percent said it should be drastically increased, 38 percent said it should be increased to some extent and 29 percent said it should be kept at the current level. But 4 percent said it should be cut to some degree, and 3 percent said it should be cut significantly.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party says Japan should possess the capability to counterattack enemy bases in response to ballistic missile attacks and other threats.

Regarding this view, 55 percent of the respondents said they agree, 29 percent said they disagree, and 16 percent were not sure or did not answer.