Support for Kan skids below 20%
Source: Agencies |
February 13, 2011, Sunday
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SUPPORT for Japan's prime minister fell sharply in a public opinion poll released yesterday, as a growing number of voters question his government's ability to lead the country through numerous pressing problems.
Only 19.9 percent of respondents to the poll by Kyodo News agency said they approved of Naoto Kan's administration, a plunge of about 12 percentage points from a month ago, when Kan reshuffled his Cabinet.
Almost two-thirds said they disapproved of the government. Many cited a lack of leadership by Kan, who also heads the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, Kyodo said.
The results raise renewed questions about Kan's political longevity. A sharp erosion of voter confidence has been fatal for a series of recent prime ministers. Kan is Japan's fifth leader in less than four years.
Kyodo said the last time support for an administration fell under 20 percent was shortly before former prime minister Yukio Hatoyama resigned last June.
The rapid turnover has made it harder for the country to formulate and implement policies to tackle its many problems.
The poll results also reflect a recent scandal within the ruling party. The Democrats have been deeply divided over what to do about veteran lawmaker Ichiro Ozawa, who was indicted last week in a funding scandal. He rejected calls by Kan to resign from the party.
Overall support for the Democrats in the poll slipped to 20.9 percent from 22.7 percent last month, Kyodo said. Approval for their main opposition, the Liberal Democrats, was slightly higher at 23.7 percent.
Only 19.9 percent of respondents to the poll by Kyodo News agency said they approved of Naoto Kan's administration, a plunge of about 12 percentage points from a month ago, when Kan reshuffled his Cabinet.
Almost two-thirds said they disapproved of the government. Many cited a lack of leadership by Kan, who also heads the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, Kyodo said.
The results raise renewed questions about Kan's political longevity. A sharp erosion of voter confidence has been fatal for a series of recent prime ministers. Kan is Japan's fifth leader in less than four years.
Kyodo said the last time support for an administration fell under 20 percent was shortly before former prime minister Yukio Hatoyama resigned last June.
The rapid turnover has made it harder for the country to formulate and implement policies to tackle its many problems.
The poll results also reflect a recent scandal within the ruling party. The Democrats have been deeply divided over what to do about veteran lawmaker Ichiro Ozawa, who was indicted last week in a funding scandal. He rejected calls by Kan to resign from the party.
Overall support for the Democrats in the poll slipped to 20.9 percent from 22.7 percent last month, Kyodo said. Approval for their main opposition, the Liberal Democrats, was slightly higher at 23.7 percent.
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