On June 8, 2026, Singaporean media Lianhe Zaobao reported that due to dissatisfaction with soaring prices, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's approval rating had updated its lowest record since her administration's inauguration, and voices of concern about the future of the administration's operation were spreading within the Liberal Democratic Party.

The article stated that Prime Minister Takaichi's approval rating had temporarily maintained a high level of 70% due to her diplomatic achievements after her victory in the House of Representatives election in February this year. It then introduced that, according to the latest public opinion polls by major Japanese media outlets, Prime Minister Takaichi's approval rating continued to decline, updating its lowest record since the administration's inauguration. Specific figures reported were a drop to 66% in a Nikkei survey, 60% in Asahi Shimbun, and 50% in Mainichi Shimbun.

It explained that the main reasons for the decline in approval rating are public anxiety over rising crude oil prices and shortages of petroleum products, as well as the persistent high prices. Mainichi Shimbun's data showed that only 13% of respondents felt that measures against rising prices were sufficient. Furthermore, young people aged 18 to 29, who had previously held high expectations for the Takaichi administration, also turned critical, with their approval rating decreasing to 45%.

Furthermore, while reporting that Prime Minister Takaichi approved a supplementary budget totaling 3 trillion yen on June 5 to address high crude oil prices and inflation, and is considering lowering the reduced consumption tax rate for food products and other items from 8% to 1% for a period of two years, the article noted that public opinion and experts have raised doubts about the immediate effectiveness of the consumption tax reduction and criticized that the support measures lack concrete details.

The article reported that politician Ichiro Ozawa cited Prime Minister Takaichi's handling of the current Middle East situation as her biggest blunder, warning that if she continues to ignore the public suffering from high prices, her political career could come to an end.

Furthermore, citing reports from Japanese domestic media, the article introduced the view that Prime Minister Takaichi's position within the party is unstable and that it will be difficult for her to survive the cabinet reshuffle in October. It also reported that party strongman Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso has already begun moving with an eye on a "post-Takaichi" scenario, and there is a possibility that Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, and Policy Research Council Chairman Takayuki Kobayashi will be put forward as successor candidates. (Edited and translated by Kawajiri)