Nikkei Poll Says 62% Support PM Shinzo Abe
A recent public opinion poll by Nikkei and TV Tokyo over August 26-28 marked a rising support for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe up by 4% point to 62% - above the 60's for the first time in two years since his cabinet reshuffle in September, 2014. Abe's attendance and popular performance in the closing ceremony of the Rio Olympics possibly helped push the figure up.
The Bank of Japan's negative interest rates policy was negated by 47% against 33% in favor - 10% point higher than previously in February but still short of the percentage point against. Asked whether commodity prices would rise, 60% said yes against 33% no.
The support for Abenomix was divided between 40% pro against 53% con - whereas in the July survey more had supported Abe's central economic policy.
The government party LDP, Liberal Democratic Party, and the opposition party, Democratic Party, registered 44% and 8%, respectively - the former gaining 3 percentage points against the latter losing 4 points. Komeito and Japan Restoration Party (formerly Osaka RP) both marked 4%, while Japan Communist Party dwindled at 3%.
On His Majesty's wish to abdicate while active, 43% responded the government should expedite necessary legal revision while 45% said it should take sufficient time to make such revision. 5% found no reason to effect legal revision.
As regards China's provocative behaviors in the vicinity of Senkaku Islans in Okinawa, poll asked if the government should continue to protect Chinese advance into Japan's EEZ while agreeing to dialogue. 55% responded Japan should assume more steadfast position, while 37% said "we should focus on dialogue".
The opinion poll was conducted by Nikkei Research over August 26-28 by RDD system across the nation with men and women over age 18. A total of 1055 responded (47.0%). (Nathan Shiga)
