Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faces economic headwinds as popularity holds steady.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faces economic headwinds as popularity holds steady. Recent polls show her approval ratings between 53% and 70% despite slight declines in some surveys. Six months into her tenure, Takaichi confronts dual challenges: the Iran conflict threatening Middle East oil supplies and strained relations with China. Japan imports over 90% of its oil through the Hormuz Strait, now effectively closed. The government has responded by releasing strategic oil reserves, capping gasoline prices near 170 yen per liter, and pledging supply chain relief for petrochemicals. Despite these measures, 82% of respondents report feeling daily economic impact from the regional conflict. However, 70% of voters still support her growth-focused fiscal approach, suggesting confidence in her economic vision remains intact even as concerns about implementation mount.