Person

Kazuo Yana

1. Kyodo poll: Japan PM Sanae Takaichi's cabinet approval falls below 50%, lowest since taking office

   A Kyodo News poll conducted Oct 17–18 put Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet approval at 49.1%, the lowest since she took office last October. The drop may be linked to slow handling of the case of farm minister Kazuo Yana, criticised for saying he would cut road funding to municipalities that did not support him, who resigned on Oct 14. 57.7% of respondents said his replacement came 'too late', and 81.5% said his resignation was warranted.

   Oct 19, 2026 Morning