Public support plunges for Japan PM Abe over defense bills

TOKYO, Japan – Support for the government of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has plunged to an all-time low after it pushed unpopular defense bills through parliament despite public anger, according to a new poll. 

Public approval for the cabinet slumped to 35% – its lowest point since Abe came to power at the end of 2012 and down 7 points from two weeks ago – according to a poll published Sunday, July 19, in the Mainichi Shimbun.

Meanwhile, the government’s disapproval rating surged 8 points to 51%, added the newspaper, which has been critical of the nationalist premier.

Japan’s lower house of parliament on Thursday, July 16, passed controversial security bills that would expand the role of the military and could see Japanese troops fighting abroad for the first time since World War II.

The change marks a historic turning point for Japan, which has used its well-funded military frequently for disaster relief missions but has kept out of combat zones because of a clause in its US-imposed constitution.

The bills have been sent to the upper house for review, but the lower house can override any conflicting verdict.

The approval was seen as a victory for nationalist Prime Minister Abe and other right-wingers, but the issue has galvanized public opinion and opponents say the bills are unconstitutional and undermine 70 years of national pacifism.

The day before the Thursday vote, as many as 60,000 people took part in a rally outside parliament where scuffles broke out with police and two men in their 60s were arrested on suspicion of assaulting officers – a rarity in orderly Japan. 

“Public criticism is strengthening against the defense bills. The way the government and the ruling party (has) handled the issue is seen to have dragged down the cabinet’s approval rating,” the Mainichi said.

The survey came a day after another from Kyodo News that showed the Abe government’s approval rating falling to 37.7%, from 47.4% a month ago. The disapproval rating rose to 51.6%, compared with 43.0% last month.

Both polls asked around 1,000 people and were conducted by telephone on Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18. – Rappler.com