Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike eats into Abe’s support ahead of Japan’s snap election
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s approval rating has also dropped below his disapproval rating
Tokyo — Support for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe fell in two polls released on Monday, three weeks before a general election where Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike’s new Party of Hope threatens to reduce his majority. The premier’s approval rate dropped below his disapproval rate in polls by Kyodo News and the Asahi newspaper. Almost 46% of respondents in the Kyodo survey said they saw Abe as an appropriate person to be prime minister, compared with 33% who chose Koike, whose power base is largely in and around the capital. About 24% said they would vote for Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party with nearly 15% opting for Koike’s party in the proportional representation section of the October 22 election. Those who said they hadn’t decided totalled 43%. While Koike may fall short of unseating Abe — her party plans to field candidates in only about half of the 465 seats up for grabs — her rise to national prominence has shaken up an election that Abe called to capitalise on public s...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.