The Lower House of Japan's parliament approved the government's budget for the upcoming fiscal year during an exceptional Saturday session. This victory bolsters Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, whose public support has recently declined.
The budget, totaling 112 trillion yen ($746 billion), includes relief funds for the New Year's Day earthquake on the Noto Peninsula. Its passage ensures that the budget will be implemented by the start of the fiscal year on April 1, regardless of the outcome in the less influential Upper House.
Amidst a funding scandal that has eroded his popularity, Kishida made history this week by becoming the first sitting prime minister to testify before a parliamentary ethics committee. According to a recent poll by NHK, public broadcaster, Kishida's approval rating has plummeted to 25%, while support for his ruling Liberal Democratic Party has dropped to around 30%.