Takaichi Cabinet Approval Rating Dips Slightly to 65%, Consumption Tax Reduction "Early 1%" Most Popular at 45%

Takaichi Cabinet approval rating dips slightly to 65.3%, marking lowest since inauguration In a joint Sankei-FNN opinion poll, the approval rating for the Takaichi Cabinet fell by 2.7 percentage points from the previous survey to 65.3%, the lowest since the administration was launched in October last year. The disapproval rate rose to 28.1%. 12

Consumption tax reduction: "1% is fine if early" most popular at 45%, 70% concerned about funding Regarding the reduction of consumption tax on food and beverages, considering the timing of implementation due to register renovations, "1% is fine if implemented early" was the most popular choice at 45.1%. Meanwhile, 67.9% said they "feel uneasy" about securing financial resources. 12

Three ruling and opposition party bills on reviewing corporate and group donations begin deliberation in Lower House In the House of Representatives Special Committee on Political Reform, deliberation began on three bills: a bill by the Liberal Democratic Party and Japan Innovation Party to establish a council of experts, a bill by the Komeito and Democratic Party for the People to limit donation recipients, and a bill by the Constitutional Democratic Party and Reiwa Shinsengumi for a complete ban. Each party will state its position on the 16th. 3456

Bank of Japan to raise policy rate to 1%, unusual meeting without Governor Ueda The Bank of Japan will hold a monetary policy meeting from the 15th and is expected to raise the policy rate from 0.75% to around 1.0%. This is an unusual meeting without Governor Ueda, who is hospitalized, with the aim of curbing price increases. 78

Prime Minister Takaichi leaves Italy for France to attend G7 Summit Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi departed Rome, Italy on the 15th and headed to France via Switzerland for the G7 leaders' meeting. This is the Prime Minister's first participation in a G7 summit. 910

Over 60% "not convinced" by government explanation on naphtha supply concerns In an FNN opinion poll, 60.2% of respondents said they were "not convinced" by the government's explanation that the naphtha supply shortage was due to "clogging in the distribution process," highlighting a lack of public understanding. 2

27-year-old father arrested in Kushiro, Hokkaido for beating son under 10 A 27-year-old company employee father was arrested on suspicion of assault for striking the head of his son, who is under 10 years old, at a residence in Kushiro City. The case came to light after a report from a child consultation center, and he has partially admitted to the allegations. 11

Elderly woman in Aomori Prefecture defrauded of 33 million yen in special fraud The Aomori Police Station announced on the 15th that an elderly woman in her 80s in Aomori Prefecture was defrauded of approximately 33 million yen in cash in a special fraud case. 12