Voter Approval of Ishiba's Cash Handout Plan Low, Amid Rising Prices

A survey conducted by Asahi Shimbun indicates that Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's proposed cash handouts to alleviate the financial strain on households have received limited support, with approval from merely 28 percent of voters and a significant 67 percent expressing disapproval. This nationwide poll, executed over June 14 and 15, followed Ishiba's announcement that the government planned to give ¥20,000 (approximately $138) to every resident to address the rising costs of living, along with an extra ¥20,000 to children and lower-income households exempt from residential tax.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner, Komeito, plan to incorporate the cash payment initiative into their campaign pledges for the upcoming Upper House elections. The survey results show that only 21 percent of respondents in their 40s approved of the cash proposal, in contrast to 36 percent approval among voters aged 70 and above. Interestingly, half of the LDP supporters expressed support for the plan, although disapproval was also prominent among this group at 46 percent. Komeito supporters shared a similar divided sentiment regarding the payouts.

The poll highlighted an overall approval rate of only 18 percent for Ishiba's management of the cost-of-living issue, a slight rise from 12 percent in previous surveys conducted in May. Opposition to his actions in inflation control remained high at 72 percent, though this is a decline from 79 percent earlier. The growing approval appears largely attributed to feedback from older citizens aged 70 and above, despite the majority remaining discontent with the measures.

With the increasing cost of living, particularly soaring rice prices, likely to dominate discussions in the July 20 Upper House election, the government has released reserves of rice to try to stabilize prices. While 50 percent of survey participants believe this action will successfully lower rice prices, 43 percent are skeptical about its effectivity. When earlier polls were conducted in April and May, a substantial 70 percent of respondents had predicted rice prices would not decrease.

Public opinion has shifted positively regarding Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi’s efforts related to the rice situation, with 68 percent approving of his handling, significantly outpacing the 26 percent who disapprove. However, these improved perceptions about Koizumi have not translated into a significant boost for the overall reputation of Ishiba's administration, which experienced a slight decline in approval rating to 32 percent from 33 percent in May, while disapproval ratings fell from 56 to 52 percent. The survey collected valid responses from 1,256 eligible voters, using random landline and mobile phone numbers.