Japan's Takaichi Enjoys 69% Approval, But Voters Fear One-Party Rule

69%. That's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's approval rating, holding remarkably steady after her party's election landslide. But here's the twist: nearly half of Japanese voters are uncomfortable with her Liberal Democratic Party's overwhelming parliamentary dominance.

The latest Nikkei-TV Tokyo poll reveals a fascinating paradox in Japanese politics—high personal approval for the leader, deep skepticism about unchecked power.

The Approval Paradox

Takaichi's cabinet support barely budged from January's 67% to 69% in February, suggesting her honeymoon period isn't fading. Yet the same voters expressing confidence in her leadership are wary of her party's supermajority in the lower house.

This isn't contradictory—it's quintessentially Japanese. The electorate values strong leadership but fears concentrated power. It's a political culture that prizes consensus and checks on authority, even when they like the person wielding it.

For Takaichi, Shinzo Abe's political heir, this presents both opportunity and constraint. She has the public backing to push ambitious policies, but voters are watching for signs of overreach.

The Tax Cut Reality Check

The poll's most revealing finding? Voters want tax reduction talks to include discussions about increasing social security burdens. Translation: Japanese citizens aren't buying into magical thinking about fiscal policy.

Japan faces the world's most rapid aging crisis. Social security costs spiral upward annually while the working-age population shrinks. The math is unforgiving—you can't simultaneously cut taxes and maintain generous benefits without someone paying more.

Takaichi campaigned on tax relief, but voters seem to understand what economists know: there's no free lunch in public finance. The question isn't whether to increase social security contributions, but how much and for whom.

Global Implications

This fiscal reality extends beyond Japan's borders. As Takaichi leverages her electoral mandate to strengthen ties with President Donald Trump, her domestic constraints matter internationally. A prime minister juggling tax cuts with social security pressures has less room for expensive foreign policy initiatives.

The approval rating also signals stability for Japan's international partners. At 69%, Takaichi has the political capital to make long-term commitments, whether on defense spending, trade agreements, or regional security arrangements.