Cabinet approval rating drops to 50.2%, lowest since inauguration, as fiscal concerns over consumption tax cut spread

Cabinet approval rating at 50.2%, lowest since inauguration; 71.7% have fiscal concerns over consumption tax cut In the Kyodo News survey conducted on the 22nd and 23rd, the approval rating for the Takaichi Cabinet fell 3.5 points from the previous poll to 50.2%, declining for the sixth consecutive time. A total of 71.7% said they feel fiscal anxiety over the consumption tax cut, and 73.8% opposed appointing lawmakers disciplined over the slush fund scandal to important posts. In an NNN and Yomiuri Shimbun survey, the approval rating was 56%, roughly unchanged, showing differences depending on the poll. 12

PM Takaichi affirms continued support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia; Ukrainian PM expects supply of interceptor missiles On the evening of the 24th, Prime Minister Takaichi participated online in a leaders' meeting of the coalition of countries supporting Ukraine held in Kyiv, emphasizing continued support and efforts to impose sanctions on Russia. Ukrainian Prime Minister Koretsky told Kyodo News that he expects Japan to provide interceptor missiles to get through the winter. 34

Very strong Typhoon No. 18 to approach Okinawa and Amami from 25th to 27th; effects may be prolonged Typhoon No. 18 is expected to pass through the Daito Islands on the 25th and approach the Okinawa main island, Amami, and the Sakishima Islands around the 27th. Because it is moving slowly, the impact of strong winds and high waves is expected to last longer, and ANA has canceled all flights arriving at and departing from Naha on the 26th. 56

Bipartisan group of lawmakers visits Beijing to repair Japan-China relations cooled by PM Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan Lawmakers from the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito, and the Centrist Reform Alliance departed for China on the 24th, aiming to hold talks with Chinese Communist Party leaders. Since Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks on a Taiwan contingency, channels between the authorities have remained severed, and they are seeking a way to resume dialogue. 7

Government formulates action plan for CBRNE terrorism countermeasures; to establish expert panel On the 24th, the government compiled an action plan for responding to terrorism using chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive materials, and decided to establish an expert panel to improve initial response and strengthen intelligence functions. Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara said, 'The possibility that Japan could become a target of terrorism cannot be ruled out.' 8

Defense White Paper 2026 explicitly calls China 'greatest strategic challenge'; emphasizes preparations for next-generation warfare The Defense Ministry's 'Defense White Paper 2026' identifies China's military buildup, North Korea's nuclear and missile development, and strengthened cooperation with Russia as major threats, and states that it will pursue achieving defense spending of 2% of GDP and the SHIELD concept utilizing unmanned systems. It also places emphasis on responding to AI, cyber, and information warfare. 9

Tobu Spacia X fatal accident: 3 trains passed through in 45 minutes after work began; police search homes In the accident in which four workers were killed after being struck by an express train on the Tobu Nikko Line in Tochigi Prefecture, it has been found that a total of three trains on both tracks passed through the site between the start of work and the accident. Police searched the Tobu Construction Office and other locations to investigate the safety management system. 10

North Korea criticizes PM Takaichi's distant worship of Yasukuni Shrine as 'height of militaristic ambition' On the 24th, North Korea's Korean Central News Agency issued a commentary criticizing Prime Minister Takaichi for having performed a distant worship (yōhai) toward Yasukuni Shrine on the anniversary of the end of World War II, saying it 'shows the extreme of militaristic ambition.' The prime minister did not visit the shrine on August 15 but performed the distant worship from the parking lot of Nippon Budokan. 11

Japan strengthens diplomacy to ensure safety of Middle East sea lanes including Strait of Hormuz Foreign Minister Motegi visited Saudi Arabia and Oman for six days and held discussions on ensuring free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Prime Minister Takaichi has also held telephone talks with Middle Eastern leaders. 12

Four boys arrested on suspicion of throwing ketchup on passersby; Metropolitan Police Department The Metropolitan Police Department arrested four boys aged 15 to 17 on suspicion of assault and theft for throwing ketchup shoplifted from a supermarket onto the face of a woman in her 70s riding a bicycle, among other acts. One of them reportedly said, 'I splashed it on about 10 people like a random attacker,' and about 10 similar incidents were confirmed on the same day. 13