TOKYO (Sputnik) – Public support for the Japanese government headed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe decreased to a record low of 35.8 percent after a rapid decline over the past month, a poll conducted by the Kyodo news agency and issued on Sunday indicated.
Within a month the government’s rating sank by 9.1 percentage points, which is one of the most significant decreases of public support for the incumbent cabinet since it came to power in 2012.
One of causes of falling public support is the ongoing scandal around Abe’s friend Kotaro Kake, who, according to the opposition, gained the prime minister’s assistance while opening a veterinary department for the Okayama University of Science. The Japanese government denies accusations of favoritism.
Over 73 percent of respondents also criticize Abe for failing to dismiss Defense Minister Tomomi Inada over her calls on a Tokyo resident to vote for a ruling party’s candidate in local legislative elections.
The poll was conducted on July 15-16.
