Japan PM Takaichi's Popularity Dips Amid Tax Cut Promise, Snap Election Concerns

• Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's approval ratings have fallen due to voter unease over an unfunded tax cut proposal and her decision to call a snap election.
• Support for Takaichi's government dropped to 67% from 75% in December, marking the first time it fell below 70% since she took office in October.
• The decline follows criticism of her decision to call a snap election for February 8, just over a year after the previous lower-house election.
• Takaichi's campaign centers on a pledge to scrap consumption tax on food for two years, but she has not clarified funding sources, causing financial market nervousness.
• Opposition parties and economists criticize the snap election for delaying legislative debates on the new government budget and question the effectiveness of the tax cut.

Why It Matters: PM Takaichi's popularity is declining due to an unfunded tax cut promise and a controversial snap election.