Kishida’s LDP factions gamble fails to improve his popularity

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s sudden announcement late last week of his plan to dissolve his political faction in order to restore public trust in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party — and his own administration — appears to be a gamble that has failed.

Leaders of three major LDP factions, including Kishida, announced last week that they would disband their groups over a political slush funds scandal, but on Monday polls showed public support for the prime minister and his party remained low.

A Yomiuri Shimbun poll conducted over the weekend found the Kishida Cabinet’s approval rate was 24%, the lowest since the LDP returned to power in 2012. The poll also showed that 92% of respondents did not think the LDP’s top leaders, including Kishida, had adequately explained the scandal to the public, including their own roles.