The latest NHK opinion poll shows that the approval rate for Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru's Cabinet stands at 41 percent. That remains unchanged from last month's survey before the Lower House election. The disapproval rate is up 2 points to 37 percent.

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

Among those who support the Cabinet, 37 percent said it seems better than possible alternatives, 26 percent expressed trust in Ishiba, and 21 percent said it is made up of political parties they support.

Of those who disapprove, 34 percent said they have low expectations for the Cabinet's policies, 18 percent said the Cabinet lacks the ability to implement policies, 15 percent said they believe an alternative Cabinet would be better than the current one, and those who said they do not trust the prime minister also accounted for 15 percent.

In the October 27 Lower House election, the coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito failed to win a majority for the first time in 15 years.

Asked about the result, 32 percent said it was good; 29 percent said it was rather good; 18 percent said it was rather bad; and 12 percent said it was a bad result.

The respondents were asked what issues they think the Ishiba Cabinet should prioritize now among six options. Measures on the economy and rising prices topped the list at 41 percent; political reforms including the issue of money in politics was 16 percent; and a review of the social security system stood at 13 percent. They were followed by diplomacy and security at 11 percent, measures for children and the declining birthrate at 9 percent, and constitutional amendments at 2 percent.