Home GRASP GRASP/Japan Abe’s support rate rebounds, raising chances of becoming Japan’s longest-serving prime minister

Abe’s support rate rebounds, raising chances of becoming Japan’s longest-serving prime minister

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Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s support rate rose 10 points to outstrip his disapproval rating for the first time since February, a survey showed Monday, impro
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s support rate rose 10 points to outstrip his disapproval rating for the first time since February, a survey showed Monday, improving his chances of weathering a series of scandals to become Japan’s longest-serving leader.
Abe’s ratings have been on a roller coaster since last year, when the public learned of the heavily discounted sale of state-owned land to a nationalist school operator with ties to his wife. Questions also arose over the government’s approval of a new veterinary school for another educational body run by his close friend.
Abe’s support rate jumped to 52 percent in a June 22 to 24 survey by the Nikkei business daily, while his disapproval rating fell to 42 percent.
Those backing Abe cited his global view and the stability of his government as the reason — though a hefty majority of voters still don’t think the scandals have been resolved, the paper said. International news, including U. S. President Donald Trump’s historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, overshadowed scandal news in June.
Abe, who returned to power for a rare second term in 2012 promising to reboot the economy and strengthen the role of the military, also topped the list of people voters want to see win the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s leadership race in September.

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