Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi Faces Declining Approval Ratings Ahead of February National Election

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sanae takaichiis facing a decline in public approval ratings as Japan JPprepares for a national election scheduled for February 8, 2026. This decline marks the first time her support has fallen below 70 percent since she was appointed as the country's first female premier in October 2025. In the latest Nikkei survey released Monday, approval for Sanae Takaichifell to 67 percent from 75 percent in December, while a Kyodo voter survey showed her support slipping to 63 percent from 68 percent. A Mainichi newspaper poll recorded an even sharper drop, with approval falling ten points to 57 percent.

The downward trend comes as voters in the world's fourth largest economy express skepticism over a proposed 793 billion dollar national budget and stimulus package. According to the Nikkei survey, 56 percent of respondents did not think the stimulus package would successfully cushion the impact of rising living costs. Sanae Takaichi called the snap election before lawmakers had approved the record budget, a move that has drawn public criticism. In the Mainichi survey, two-fifths of respondents expressed unhappiness with the timing of the election, while fewer than a third approved of the decision to hold the vote now.