But the poll shows few are optimistic about the economy.

The public's approval rating for the Cabinet of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi jumped 8 percentage points in the latest Asahi Shimbun opinion poll.

While there was no clear link between the increase and policy initiatives taken by the Cabinet, support from those favoring Koizumi's quest to privatize the national postal system appeared to be partly behind the rebound.

Forty-one percent of respondents said they supported the Cabinet, an increase over the 33 percent approval rating registered in a January poll. That was the lowest figure ever for a Koizumi Cabinet.

Respondents were selected at random. Valid responses were received from 1,782 individuals on Saturday and Sunday.

The same number of respondents, 41 percent, said they did not support the Cabinet. This was a decline from 46 percent in the January poll.

Support ratings for the Liberal Democratic Party and the opposition Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) returned to levels recorded just before the Upper House election last July. Support for the LDP rose from 29 percent in January to 32 percent, while Minshuto support fell to 16 percent from 19 percent.

The increase in support for Koizumi's Cabinet appears partly to be tied to a change of heart among traditional supporters of the party as well as women and the elderly. Support from all three sectors fell in January.

Opinion on the government's push on postal privatization was split. While 38 percent of respondents said they were sympathetic to postal privatization, 42 percent were not.

Among those who supported the Cabinet and the LDP, there were more respondents sympathetic to postal privatization.

About 60 percent of respondents said they felt economic conditions would not change.

When asked which party they hoped would gain seats if a Lower House election were held now, 34 percent said Minshuto and 30 percent said the LDP. In January, 25 percent cited the LDP and 42 percent favored Minshuto.

Although about 90 percent of the respondents said they were concerned about North Korea's recent claim it possesses nuclear weapons, there was no unanimity on what action to take against Pyongyang regarding the abduction issue. While 61 percent of respondents supported strong measures, including economic sanctions, 30 percent favored dialogue through diplomatic efforts.

The figures were little changed from a November poll when doubts emerged about remains brought back from North Korea that Pyongyang claimed belonged to abductees. At that time, 65 percent of respondents called for strong measures, while 26 percent said dialogue was preferable.

In the latest poll, 67 percent of respondents said Japan needs the U.S.-proposed missile defense system.(IHT/Asahi: February 22,2005)