Sanae Takaichi faces political pressure amid falling approval ratings

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is facing significant political pressure as her cabinet's approval ratings have dropped to 57%, a 12-percentage-point decrease from June. In response to growing scrutiny, Takaichi has used social media to defend her administration, citing the Analects of Confucius to argue that political legitimacy relies on public trust.

These defenses follow allegations regarding a “smear campaign” involving her staff, specifically secretary Tsuyoshi Kinoshita, who is accused of producing negative videos targeting political opponents. While Takaichi has denied personal involvement, public reaction remains skeptical, with many calling for formal parliamentary inquiries rather than social media statements.

Adding to the pressure, former Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa has issued a sharp critique of Takaichi’s leadership. In a recent publication, Hosokawa criticized her stance on amending the Imperial House Law and her handling of national ceremonies, suggesting her actions could be detrimental to Japan. Amidst these challenges, reports suggest the government may undergo a cabinet reshuffle in mid-September to attempt to stabilize support.