Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi was the best rated minister in a recent opinion poll conducted by Sankei Research & Data in anticipation of a potential reshuffle of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's Cabinet. Takaichi was the top choice of respondents who were asked which ministers should keep their posts, with 56.9% wanting her to stay.

• Digital Affairs Minister Taro Kono was the most polarising figure. While 43.1% of respondents want him to continue serving in the Cabinet (2nd result after Takaichi), 43.1% don't want him to stay (2nd result after Nomura). Kono has drawn some criticism over his handling of the "My Number Card" affair.
• Agriculture Minister Tetsuro Nomura was the most often named minister, whom respondents wanted out of the Cabinet. He was recently as he called the waste water released from the Fukushima nuclear power plant "contaminated," adding fuel to the diplomatic spat between Japan and its neighbours.
• Support for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) stood at 44.9%, with Nippon Ishin no Kai on 17.9%, and the main parliamentary opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan on just 4.0%. The approval rating of the Kishida Cabinet was 40.7% amid reports flagging concerns within the LDP about a failure to boost the rating.
• It is unclear if Prime Minister Kishida will decide to call a snap election alongside the expected reshuffle of his Cabinet. Mainichi reported that the LDP has been exploring potential cooperation with the Democratic Party for the People but the LDP's current coalition partner Komeito has been sceptical.