The approval rating for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet remains among the highest in Japanese history, as her measures against rising prices proved more popular than those of her predecessors, an Asahi Shimbun survey showed.

The figure was 69 percent, up slightly from 68 percent in an October survey conducted immediately after her Cabinet was formed.

The disapproval rating dropped from 19 percent in October to 17 percent, according to the nationwide telephone survey conducted on Nov. 15 and 16.

Cabinet approval ratings usually decline in the second survey after inauguration when hype and high expectations over a new administration tend to fade.

Takaichi’s predecessors, Fumio Kishida and Shigeru Ishiba, had also issued measures to fight inflation. But only between 10 and 20 percent of voters approved of these plans, and their Cabinets suffered from low popularity.

In contrast, 44 percent of respondents in the latest survey approved of the Takaichi Cabinet’s measures to tackle rising prices, compared with 35 percent who disapproved of her plans.

Takaichi plans to abolish the additional gasoline tax and distribute rice coupons to help the public cope with the higher cost of living.

Fifty-eight percent of respondents said abolishing the additional gasoline tax would have a “large positive effect,” while 31 percent said the same about the rice coupons.

Thirty-two percent said the gas tax move would have a “small effect,” and 60 percent said the same for the rice coupons.

The survey also explained to respondents that the Takaichi Cabinet is shifting away from the Ishiba Cabinet’s policy of increasing rice production to prevent shortages and rising prices. Forty-three percent of respondents opposed the move, while 40 percent supported it.

RELATIONS WITH CHINA

On foreign relations, Takaichi scored high points regarding the Japan-U.S. summit in October, with 67 percent approving her performance, far exceeding the 21 percent who disapproved of her talks with U.S. President Donald Trump.

In a survey conducted after Ishiba’s summit with Trump in February, 50 percent approved Ishiba’s performance, while 35 percent voiced disapproval.

The latest survey was conducted at a time when Japan-China relations continue to deteriorate following Takaichi’s remark in the Diet regarding Japan taking action in response to a contingency in Taiwan.

On the night of Nov. 14, immediately before the survey was conducted, the Chinese Foreign Ministry called on Chinese citizens to refrain from traveling to Japan.

When asked if the Takaichi Cabinet can improve ties with China, 43 percent of respondents said they have positive expectations, while 44 percent said they do not.

Among the respondents who do not expect Takaichi’s Cabinet to mend ties with China, the Cabinet approval rating was 53 percent, much lower than the overall rate.

The survey was conducted on eligible voters on Nov. 15 and 16 using both landline and mobile phone numbers randomly generated by computer. A total of 1,215 of 2,720 voters contacted gave valid responses.