Nikkei front-paged the results of its latest public opinion survey that put support for the Abe administration at 62%, up 4 points from three weeks ago, and nonsupport at 27%, down five points. The daily attributed the improvement to growing public expectations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as a result of Japanese athletes’ outstanding performance and the prime minister’s attendance at the closing ceremony of the Rio Olympics.

Some 55% called for the GOJ to take a tough line toward the Chinese over the Senkakus. Almost half expressed opposition to Japan’s decision to contribute 1 billion yen to the ROK Reconciliation and Healing Foundation because the Park administration has not yet removed the comfort women statue from in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul.