Public support for Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has dropped to a record low after he handed out gift vouchers to ruling party lawmakers, an Asahi newspaper poll showed on Monday. Approval fell 14 percentage points to 26%, the lowest since he took office last October.
The survey, conducted March 15-16, follows reports that Ishiba gave 100,000 yen ($673) vouchers to 15 first-term lawmakers from his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) earlier this month. Critics argue the handout may violate political funding laws.
Speaking in parliament, Ishiba defended the gesture, calling it "pocket money" and a "show of appreciation" for their work in the election. While insisting the action did not break the law, he apologised for causing "distrust and anger among many people."
All 15 lawmakers have since returned the vouchers, according to Japanese media.
Separate polls by Yomiuri and Mainichi newspapers over the weekend also confirmed a record-low approval for Ishiba’s government. The decline comes months before an upper house election in July, adding pressure to his leadership.
The controversy unfolds as Japan’s economy faces uncertainty from escalating trade tensions with the United States, led by President Donald Trump.
Three men have been killed and nine others wounded in a gang-related shooting at a crowded nightclub in Brooklyn, despite New York City recording hist...
The African Union has endorsed a campaign to end the use of the Mercator map, saying it distorts Africa’s true size and reinforces outdated stereoty...
Hungarian opposition leader Peter Magyar has called on Russia to guarantee it will not interfere in Hungary’s politics, saying any future cooperatio...
Global investors are eyeing defence and energy sectors as European leaders rally behind Ukraine amid signs the U.S. may push Kyiv to accept a peace de...
Russia offered concessions on all five occupied Ukrainian regions during the Trump–Putin summit in Alaska, and the U.S. may provide direct security ...
Three men have been killed and nine others wounded in a gang-related shooting at a crowded nightclub in Brooklyn, despite New York City recording historic lows in gun violence this year.
The African Union has endorsed a campaign to end the use of the Mercator map, saying it distorts Africa’s true size and reinforces outdated stereotypes.
Hungarian opposition leader Peter Magyar has called on Russia to guarantee it will not interfere in Hungary’s politics, saying any future cooperation depends on respecting the country’s sovereignty.
Global investors are eyeing defence and energy sectors as European leaders rally behind Ukraine amid signs the U.S. may push Kyiv to accept a peace deal favourable to Russia.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck 56 kilometres east of Gorgan in northern Iran early Sunday morning, according to preliminary seismic data.
A deadly heatwave has claimed 1,180 lives in Spain since May, with elderly people most at risk, prompting calls for urgent social support.
Media accreditation is now open for COP30, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, set to take place in Belém, Brazil in 2025.
U.S. President Donald Trump may offer NATO-like protection for Ukraine, a move that Russia is open to, according to his top foreign policy aide. The suggestion comes ahead of talks in Washington with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders on possible security guarantees.
A 5.8-magnitude undersea earthquake hit Indonesia’s Sulawesi island on Sunday, injuring 29 people and damaging buildings, including a church where worshippers were gathered.
Three men have been killed and nine others wounded in a gang-related shooting at a crowded nightclub in Brooklyn, despite New York City recording historic lows in gun violence this year.
The African Union has endorsed a campaign to end the use of the Mercator map, saying it distorts Africa’s true size and reinforces outdated stereotypes.
Hungarian opposition leader Peter Magyar has called on Russia to guarantee it will not interfere in Hungary’s politics, saying any future cooperation depends on respecting the country’s sovereignty.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment