Support for Prime Minister Abe falls after security bill passed

(Baonghean.vn) - On September 21, the results of a Japanese opinion survey showed that the support rate for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe decreased significantly after the new security law was passed.

According to statistics from the Nikkei business daily, the support rate for Mr. Abe's cabinet fell 6% compared to last month, to 40%, while the opposition rate increased to 47%.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Photo: Reuters

The new security legislation has sparked protests by people who say it violates Japan's pacifist constitution and could drag the country into international conflicts, but it was voted on Saturday, September 19.

54% of Japanese people surveyed opposed the new security law, while only 31% approved, the Nikkei newspaper reported. Surveys conducted by other Japanese newspapers such as Asahi, Mainichi and Yomiuri also showed similar results.

However, the lack of public support for the new security law is not necessarily a boon for the opposition party. According to Nikkei, the support rate for the Democratic Party increased by only 3 percentage points from the previous month, to 12%.

Aimed at expanding the role of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) overseas and strengthening its alliance with the United States, the law allows Japan to exercise (in a limited way) the right of collective self-defense, or coming to the aid of the United States and other friendly countries under armed attack, even if Japan is not attacked. In addition, the new law also allows the SDF to provide logistical support to foreign militaries in international peacekeeping operations.

Ngoc Trung

(According to Reuters)