Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is grappling with a flat cabinet approval rating of 35.7%, a slight decline from 36.5% the previous month, while his disapproval rating has surged to 49.2% from 43.1% in December [87928e5a]. This stagnation in public support comes at a critical time as 84.3% of respondents express concern over impending U.S. tariffs, particularly with President Trump's announcement of a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico set to take effect on February 1, 2025 [87928e5a].
These developments add pressure to Ishiba's leadership, which has already been described as weak following his re-election on November 11, 2024. Analysts have noted that the recent parliamentary vote, which marked a historic runoff for the first time in 30 years, reflects growing discontent among the electorate [393b9984]. The Prime Minister's challenges are compounded by the loss of a majority in the lower house, raising concerns about the stability of his government [393b9984].
Amidst these political challenges, Ishiba has proposed political funding reforms to regain public trust and address the electorate's concerns [393b9984]. However, the upcoming upper house elections next year threaten the LDP's slim majority, potentially complicating Ishiba's ability to govern effectively [393b9984].
In addition to concerns over tariffs, a recent survey revealed that 59.4% of respondents support allowing married couples to use different surnames, and there is a strong preference for raising the tax-free income threshold to 1.78 million yen [87928e5a]. The political climate remains precarious as Ishiba navigates internal party strife, corruption scandals, and public dissatisfaction, all while trying to maintain Japan's economic stability and strategic ties with the United States [23744552][692f3da1].