An NHK opinion poll shows that the approval rate for Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's Cabinet stands at 25 percent, unchanged from last month. The disapproval rate is 57 percent, down by 1 point.

NHK conducted the telephone survey over three days from Friday. More than 1,200 people responded.

Among those who support the Cabinet, 47 percent said it seems better than possible alternatives, 25 percent said it is made up of political parties they support, and 13 percent expressed trust in Kishida.

Of those who disapprove, 39 percent said they have low expectations for the Cabinet's policies, 30 percent said the Cabinet lacks the ability to implement policies, and 12 percent said they do not trust Kishida.

Regarding a fundraising scandal involving factions of the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party, in which five senior lawmakers explained matters at sessions of the Lower House Deliberative Council on Political Ethics, the responses varied.

Only 1 percent said explanation responsibilities were fully fulfilled, while 7 percent felt they were to some extent fulfilled, 34 percent said they were not very fulfilled, and 50 percent believed they were not fulfilled at all.

When asked whether the LDP should discipline lawmakers who were involved in the scandal, 75 percent said it should, while 12 percent said that was unnecessary.

On the government's response to the Noto Peninsula earthquake on New Year's Day, 5 percent said they highly approve of it, 44 percent said they somewhat approve, 32 percent said they do not approve much, and 11 percent said they do not approve at all.

Japan's ruling coalition parties are now discussing whether to allow the transfer of defense equipment co-developed with other countries, such as a next-generation fighter jet, to third nations.

When asked about the issue, 4 percent said it should be allowed, 54 percent said it should be limited to specific countries, and 32 percent said the transfer should not be approved.