Japan PM Takaichi faces 71% disapproval on living costs after legislative sweep, denies cabinet reshuffle plans

A poll published July 27 shows 71% of respondents disapprove of Japan PM Sanae Takaichi's government handling of rising living costs; Takaichi said she has 'nothing to comment' on cabinet reshuffle speculation and held firm on the ruling LDP-JIP coalition as talks on a food consumption tax cut remain stalled

Leaders· active Who Decides·The Quiet Shift ·8 takes ·Jul 27, 2026 ·rbtfl upd Jul 28, 2026

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Summary

Japan PM Sanae Takaichi held a press conference on July 27 following a legislative session that her ruling coalition won decisively, but public approval has not kept pace with political gains. A poll shows 71% of respondents disapprove of her government's handling of rising living costs, the central domestic issue. Talks on a food consumption-tax reduction, the relief measure most directly tied to her poll numbers, remain stalled. Takaichi dismissed cabinet reshuffle speculation, saying she had nothing to comment on, and defended the LDP-JIP coalition. She acknowledged public concern over foreign influx without announcing policy steps. The confidence gap between Takaichi's parliamentary strength and her standing with voters is the defining tension in Japan's politics as the fall Diet session approaches.

The split

The Japan Times reports both Takaichi's own words at the press conference and the independent polling data, placing them in tension: the government says coalition and institutional matters are stable, while the public disapproval figure tells a different story. The 71% figure on living costs is unusually high for a government that has not faced a formal motion of no confidence; it signals that Takaichi's sliding approval since mid-July reflects a structural economic complaint rather than a procedural scandal. International perspectives on this story are not in the feed.

By the numbers

71%, poll respondents who disapprove of Takaichi's response to rising living costs
0, Diet sessions remaining before the fall session opens, by which a reshuffle would need to happen
2, coalition partners: the ruling LDP and coalition partner JIP

Why it matters

Takaichi's approval problem is rooted in the same issue squeezing households across Asia: food and energy prices remain elevated. If stalled consumption-tax-cut talks do not produce a deal before the fall Diet session, her numbers will remain under pressure and the reshuffle speculation will intensify. A cabinet reshuffle, if it comes, could shift trade or defence priorities, given Japan's active roles in regional weather response, semiconductors policy, and Ukraine support diplomacy.

What to watch

Whether the fall Diet session produces a consumption-tax-cut deal on food; that is the single policy lever most likely to move Takaichi's approval.
A formal cabinet reshuffle announcement, which Takaichi declined to comment on but did not rule out.
Whether the LDP-JIP coalition holds as Takaichi's numbers slide; opposition parties will press on living-cost failures.

Regional takes · 2

▸ English-language Japan establishment perspective on public confidence crisis

Japan Times (approval and living costs poll) · Japan · en · Jul 27, 2026

Japan Times reports a poll showing 71% of respondents disapprove of Takaichi's government response to rising living costs, and that talks on a consumption-tax reduction for food remain stalled, the policy most likely to improve her numbers. The framing is that the legislative sweep gave her formal power but has not translated into public trust.

“A recent poll shows 71% of respondents disapproved of the government's response to rising living costs as talks remain stalled over a reduction of the consumption tax for food.”

Source ↗

▸ reporting Takaichi's own words on LDP-JIP ties and reshuffle

Japan Times (coalition and reshuffle press conference) · Japan · en · Jul 27, 2026

Japan Times reports Takaichi's press conference comments: she stands firm on the LDP-JIP coalition despite growing speculation she may reshuffle the cabinet before the fall Diet session. Asked directly, she said there is nothing to comment on at this point. She also noted public concern over foreign influx as an issue she is monitoring but did not commit to policy changes.

“Despite growing speculation that Takaichi is planning to reshuffle her Cabinet before the fall Diet session, she said there is nothing to comment on at this point of time.”