Support rate for Fukuda plummets to 25%

The support rate for Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's Cabinet plunged to 25 percent, the lowest since his administration started in September, as recent policies angered older voters, an Asahi Shimbun survey showed.

The survey was conducted over the weekend after the start of a new health-care insurance program for those 75 and older. The system requires premium deductions from their pension benefits.

According to the survey, the disapproval rate for the Cabinet rose to 60 percent from 53 percent in the previous survey conducted on March 29 and 30.

In the previous survey, the support rate for the Fukuda Cabinet was 31 percent, precariously close to the 30-percent level, which is considered a benchmark for prime ministers and their Cabinets.

The 25-percent support rate registered in the latest survey is the first drop below 30 percent since July last year, when the rate for Shinzo Abe's Cabinet dropped to 26 percent after the Upper House election.

In that election, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party suffered a humiliating defeat and Abe eventually resigned.

The support rate for the LDP also plummeted in the latest survey to 26 percent from 31 percent. On the other hand, the support rate for opposition Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) climbed to 22 percent from 20 percent.

The Asahi Shimbun conducted the telephone survey on Saturday and Sunday on eligible voters picked randomly nationwide. A total of 2,084 people, or 58 percent, gave valid responses.

By age group, the support rate among people 70 or older fell to 36 percent from 46 percent, while the nonsupport rate rose to 50 percent from 34 percent. Those in their 50s gave the Cabinet a support rate of only 20 percent.

Asked why they do not support the Fukuda Cabinet, 69 percent cited its policies.

The respondents were also asked about the new health-care insurance program. Of them, 71 percent said they disagree with it, while only 18 percent support it.

As for the Cabinet's plan to revive the temporary higher gas tax rate by ramming it through the Lower House in a second vote, 63 percent opposed the plan while 24 percent supported it.(IHT/Asahi: April 22,2008)