The approval rating for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's Cabinet experienced a boost to 26 percent, following the ruling party's move to penalize 39 lawmakers in connection to a political fund scandal that tarnished the party's image and Cabinet's standing. This rise comes after a series of months where the Cabinet's approval had been consistently below 30 percent, reaching a low of 21 percent in February, but has since witnessed a gradual climb.
Despite criticisms and dissatisfaction over the handling of the political fund scandal, the latest survey conducted in April revealed an improvement in public sentiment towards the administration. While the Liberal Democratic Party saw an increase in support to 26 percent from the previous 22 percent, there remains a substantial portion of respondents who disapproved of the party's response to the scandal and the lack of disciplinary action against Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
The survey encompassed a range of opinions from respondents regarding the scandal, with a majority expressing dissatisfaction with the LDP's handling of the situation and the belief that the truth about the incident has yet to be fully uncovered. Additionally, despite Prime Minister Kishida's recent visit to the United States for a summit meeting with President Joe Biden, opinions on his performance and leadership continue to be divided among the public, with varying preferences for potential candidates for the prime ministerial position within the LDP. As the political landscape evolves, the public sentiment captured in the survey reflects a mix of approval, disapproval, and uncertainty surrounding the ongoing repercussions of the fund scandal within the ruling party.