Takaichi's Approval Plunges to Record Low Amid Inflation Fears and Imperial Succession Controversy

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is facing her most severe leadership crisis since taking office, with her approval rating plummeting to a record low of 57 percent. A nationwide poll conducted by the Yomiuri Shimbun reveals a steep 12-percentage-point drop in her approval rating, driven by intense public frustration over inflation and a deeply controversial legislative push regarding the Imperial House Law.

The primary catalyst for the public backlash is the government's perceived failure to shield citizens from the escalating cost of living. According to the polling data, a staggering 71 percent of respondents disapproved of the administration's response to rising prices, marking a stark 15-point increase in economic dissatisfaction since June.

Takaichi's adherence to expansionary fiscal and monetary policies has contributed to a spike in bond yields and driven the Japanese yen to historic lows, exacerbating the cost of imported goods. Compounding the political damage, internal resistance within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has stalled the Prime Minister's core campaign pledge: a planned 8 percent levy cut on food sales.

As the administration attempts to arrest this downward trajectory, a potential cabinet reshuffle is being considered for August or September. Kenji Yamamoto, chief market economist at Daiwa Securities, noted that while her approval remains objectively higher than many past administrations at this stage, the rapid loss of momentum requires an immediate structural response.