A sense of crisis is spreading among the government and the ruling parties as the approval rating for Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's Cabinet remained at the lowest level since the formation of the Cabinet in a nationwide survey conducted by The Yomiuri Shimbun from July 9 through 11.
Some believe distrust in the government has worsened since the minister in charge of economic revitalization, Yasutoshi Nishimura, proposed putting pressure on dining establishments that ignore requests to stop serving alcohol during the latest COVID-19 state of emergency.
With the hosting of the Tokyo Games unlikely to bolster support for the government, some within the Liberal Democratic Party are starting to call for a Cabinet reshuffle.
"From the public's perspective, the government might not have provided enough explanations on issues such as coronavirus measures and the Games," LDP Policy Research Council chairperson Hakubun Shimomura said on Monday, citing a possible reason for the record-tying low approval rating of 37%, which was unchanged from the previous poll in June.
On Thursday, Nishimura caused a stir when he suggested that the government could use financial institutions to pressurize dining establishments that keep serving alcohol despite government requests to stop doing so. He retracted the remarks after facing criticism, even from LDP members.
"Using financial institutions to put pressure on dining establishments is out of the question," lower house LDP lawmaker Kentaro Sonoura said.
On Sunday, Nishimura posted an apology on Twitter, saying, "[I have] made people involved with dining establishments nervous and caused confusion."
However, the aftermath continues.
A liquor retail sellers' industry group visited LDP headquarters on Monday and conveyed the industry's discontent to Shimomura.
"[The remark] was ill-considered," Shimomura said to reporters.
According to the survey, the percentage of people who would vote for the LDP in the next lower house election was 39%, the lowest since Suga formed his Cabinet.
"The favorability of the LDP has plummeted," said Former LDP Secretary General Shigeru Ishiba.
Former LDP Policy Research Council Chairperson Fumio Kishida said, "The public is growing tired of the LDP's condescending remarks and its way of doing things."
The government and ruling parties are hoping to launch an offensive in the run-up to the lower house election.
"We must do our best to make sure this approval rating is the lowest it gets, and start earning positive evaluations," said Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of coalition partner Komeito.
However, the Tokyo Olympics, which were expected to turn around public opinion, are going to be held without spectators at most venues.
"If things continue as they are, we will not be able to compete in the lower house election. I hope the Cabinet will be reshuffled before the dissolution of the House of Representatives to gain a sense of renewal," an LDP lawmaker said, expressing a sentiment that is growing in the party.
Criticism of the government has been spreading among opposition members.
"Trust in the governing LDP has fallen and the Suga Cabinet's ability to govern is being questioned," said Tetsuro Fukuyama, the secretary general of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.
"The government's policies are half-baked and reactive," said Yuichiro Tamaki, head of the Democratic Party for the People.
However, according to the survey, the percentage of people who would vote for the CDPJ in the next lower house election was only 10%, which was the highest figure among opposition parties.
CDPJ lower house lawmaker Masayo Tanabu said, "We should reflect on the fact that we are not being able to receive support, even when the LDP is failing."
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
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