According to the latest poll conducted on July 16, 2026, the approval rating of Prime Minister Sanae Haga's cabinet has fallen below 50%, dropping to 49%. Public dissatisfaction primarily stems from worsening economic and livelihood conditions, anxiety triggered by right-wing policies, and a crisis of trust caused by the "black money" scandal.

The Haga cabinet's economic policies are perceived as prioritizing military industries over people's livelihoods. The depreciation of the yen and persistently high prices have eroded citizens' actual purchasing power, while adjustments to social security programs such as healthcare and elderly care have shifted fiscal burdens onto the elderly population. This has led to a sharp decline in support among voters aged 60 and above—from 63.7% down to 39.9%.

The right-wing policy agenda has visibly pushed domestic and foreign affairs toward a more conservative direction. Haga made the erroneous statement that "if something happens in Taiwan, it is Japan’s problem," which significantly cooled Sino-Japanese relations and raised international concerns about regional stability. Domestically, her strong push to reduce the number of members in the House of Representatives has been criticized as an attempt to squeeze out smaller parties and weaken parliamentary checks and balances, prompting a joint protest by scholars and public demonstrations.

Moreover, political trust has been severely undermined by the open appointment of "black money" politicians. Haga appointed lawmakers implicated in the Liberal Democratic Party's "black money" scandal to key cabinet positions. This disregard for widespread public opposition directly resulted in negative feedback from respondents, including "untrustworthy" and "poor policies."

In summary, the current difficulties facing the Haga cabinet stem from the confluence and explosive outbreak of issues related to economic and livelihood conditions, internal and external policies, and political credibility.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870965952126028/

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