# Takaichi's support rate drops below 50%

> Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's approval rating falls below 50% for first time since taking office, Kyodo reports.
- Title: Takaichi's support rate drops below 50% · The Japan Times
- Summary: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's approval rating falls below 50% for first time since taking office, Kyodo reports.
- Keywords: sanae takaichi, ldp, kazuo yana, surveys, news, politics, world, Takaichi's, support, rate, drops, below
- Source: The Japan Times — https://japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/10/18/japan/politics/takaichis-support-rate-falls
- Author: No Author
- Published: 2026-10-18T11:11:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sanae takaichi, ldp, kazuo yana, surveys, news, politics, world
## Takaichi's approval rating drops
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's approval rating fell below 50% to its lowest level since taking office in October 2025, according to Kyodo News Agency.
## Poll shows 49.1% approval
A poll conducted between October 17 and 18 found Takaichi's administration approval rating at 49.1%, the lowest since she took office.
## Yana resignation controversy
Kazuo Yana resigned as farm minister after remarks about cutting road funding for municipalities that did not support him.
## Public criticism of Yana replacement
57.7% of respondents said Takaichi's decision to replace Yana came 'too late,' while 81.5% said it was natural for Yana to resign.
## Key takeaway

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's approval rating dropped to 49.1% in a recent poll, the lowest since she took office in October 2025.