Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's approval rating falls to lowest since taking office

Sanae Takaichi approval rating inflation food levy cabinet reshuffle

A July poll by the Yomiuri newspaper showed that the approval rating of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration dropped to 57%, down from 69% in June, marking the lowest level since she assumed office in October 2025. Disapproval rose to 34% from 21% and 71% of respondents said they were dissatisfied with the government's handling of rising living costs.

The slump follows a surge in bond yields, a 40‑year low for the yen and the Bank of Japan’s decision in June to raise interest rates to 1% – the highest level in 31 years – while real borrowing costs remain negative. The government has postponed a decision on cutting the 8% levy on food sales, a pledge meant to ease the impact of inflation. Analysts say core consumer inflation, which has been kept just under the 2% target for five months, may rise again later this year.

Amid the political fallout, Kyodo News reported that Takaichi may reshuffle her cabinet in August or September. The ruling coalition has also pushed through several controversial bills, including revisions to the Imperial House Law and legislation to create a “second capital” as an emergency backup for Tokyo, which have drawn criticism and added to the government’s wear.

Entities: Bank of Japan · Imperial House Law · Japan Innovation Party · Japanese Government · Kyodo News · Liberal Democratic Party · Osaka · Sanae Takaichi · Yomiuri Shimbun

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 8 SOURCES] The Bank of Japan raised interest rates to 1% in June 2026, a 31‑year high. (Bank of Japan policy decision)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Cabinet support rate fell to 53.7%, the lowest since the government was formed. (Kyodo News poll)
[● 8 SOURCES] The government has delayed deciding when to cut the 8% levy on food sales. (Yomiuri poll commentary)
[● 2 SOURCES] The Imperial House Law was revised to allow female emperors and adoption of male heirs from former imperial families. (Kyodo poll and Arabic report)
[● 2 SOURCES] Legislation created a “second capital” as a backup for Tokyo in emergencies. (Kyodo poll and Arabic report)
[● 10 SOURCES] The approval rating of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration fell to 57% in July 2026. (July Yomiuri poll)
[● 8 SOURCES] Disapproval of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration rose to 34% in July 2026. (July Yomiuri poll)
[● 8 SOURCES] The approval rating was 69% in June according to the same poll series. (Yomiuri newspaper poll)
[● 2 SOURCES] The government delayed a decision on cutting the 8% levy on food sales. (July Yomiuri poll analysis)
[● 3 SOURCES] Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi may reshuffle her cabinet in August or September 2026. (Kyodo News report)
[● 2 SOURCES] 71% of respondents were dissatisfied with the government's efforts to combat rising living costs. (July Yomiuri poll)
[● 3 SOURCES] The approval rating of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration was 69% in June 2026. (June Yomiuri poll)