According to the September Jiji Press opinion poll conducted on Sept. 7–10, the approval rate for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet rose by 3.2 percentage points over the previous month to 41.7%. The disapproval rate dropped by 2.3 points to 36.6%. This is the first time in seven months since the February poll that support returned to the 40% range and exceeded nonsupport. Asked for their views about the relocation of Air Station Futenma (Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture) to the Henoko district of Nago City, some 36.7% said they are “opposed” while 28.4% they are “in favor” of the government plan. Some 34.9% said they “aren’t sure” or “don’t know.”

The relocation of MCAS Futenma to Henoko is a major focal point in the Okinawa gubernatorial election set for Sept. 30. By political party supported, more Liberal Democratic Party supporters backed the plan than did not, 47.9% to 26.3%. Among Komeito supporters, however, more were opposed than in favor, 52.9% to 27.5%. Among supporters of opposition parties, including the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Democratic Party for the People, those opposed to the plan exceeded those in favor.

When asked why they support the cabinet (multiple responses permitted), the responses were as follows: “there is no other appropriate person” remained high at 21.0%; “the prime minister is trustworthy,” 10.4%; “the prime minister shows strong leadership,” 9.7%. When asked why they do not support the cabinet (multiple responses permitted), the responses were as follows: “the prime minister is not trustworthy,” 22.0%; “nothing can be expected of the prime minister,” 16.0%; “bad policies,” 10.6%.

The political party support rates were as follows: LDP, 26.9%, down 0.2 points from the previous month; Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, 4.4%, down 0.2 points; Komeito, 4.1%; Japanese Communist Party, 1.9%; Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party), 0.9%; Democratic Party for the People, 0.4%. Some 59.2% said they do not support any political party, up 0.3 points.

The survey was conducted [over the four-day period of Sept. 7–10] through individual interviews. For the survey, a total of 2,000 people were sampled from among men and women, aged 18 and over. The valid response rate was 62.0%.

                                                     Political party support rates (%)