# Takaichi Slide Tests Japan's US Alliance

> Japan's prime minister faces weakened support as US alliance security ties face slower pace.
- Title: Takaichi Slide Tests Japan's US Alliance · The Rio Times
- Summary: Japan's prime minister faces weakened support as US alliance security ties face slower pace. Japan's prime minister Sanae Takaichi's approval dropped to…
- Keywords: sanae takaichi, japan, us alliance, kyodo news, defense policy, cabinet support, political approval, news, world, politics, Takaichi, Slide
- Source: The Rio Times — https://riotimesonline.com/japan-takaichi-approval-us-alliance-2026
- Author: Matias Sebastian Lopez
- Published: 2026-10-20T21:24:32+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sanae takaichi, japan, us alliance, kyodo news, defense policy, cabinet support, political approval, news, world, politics
## Cabinet Support Drops
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet support fell to 49.1% in a Kyodo News poll taken on 17 and 18 October 2026.
## Why It Matters
Japan is a key US security partner in Asia, and a weaker leader can slow the defense agenda Washington wants.
## Poll Numbers
Kyodo: 49.1% approval; 57.7% said Takaichi replaced Yana too late. NHK: 51%, its lowest monthly reading since she took office.
## Yana Resignation
Agriculture minister Kazuo Yana resigned on 14 October 2026 after road funding cuts for municipalities with mayors who didn't support him.
## Takaichi's Response
Takaichi said Yana offered to go to avoid disrupting parliamentary debate during an extraordinary Diet session.
## Defense Ministers Stay
Foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi and defense minister Shinjiro Koizumi kept their posts in the 17 September reshuffle.
## Prediction Markets
Polymarket gives a 4.2% chance that Takaichi is out as prime minister during 2026 (US$39,968 traded).
## What It Means for US
US investors and defense planners face slower follow-through on Japan's defense spending and cost-sharing talks.
## Scenario Analysis
In the steady case, approval stabilizes after the Yana affair fades and the food tax cut passes.
## What to Watch
Next two or three approval polls from Kyodo, NHK and others will show if this is a dip or trend.
## What Happens Next
Takaichi's coalition faces tough votes in the Diet as it seeks approval for a temporary food sales tax cut.
## Key takeaway

Japan's prime minister Sanae Takaichi's approval dropped to 49.1% in a Kyodo News poll, signaling slower US-Japan defense cooperation without alliance breakdown.