NHK's monthly opinion poll shows that the approval rate for Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's Cabinet has risen by 3 points to 26 percent. The disapproval rate fell by 2 points to 56 percent.

NHK conducted the telephone survey over three days from Friday. It targeted 2,429 randomly chosen people aged 18 and older, with 1,212 responding.

Among those who support the Cabinet, 47 percent said it seems better than possible alternatives. Twenty-five percent said it's made up of political parties they support, while 16 percent expressed trust in Kishida.

Among those who disapprove, 45 percent said they have low expectations for the Cabinet's policies, while 29 percent cited a perceived inability to implement policies. Eleven percent said they do not trust the prime minister.

As for the Cabinet's responses to the magnitude 7.6 earthquake which devastated central regions including Ishikawa Prefecture, 6 percent said they highly approve, and 49 percent said they approve to some extent.

But 31 percent said they do not approve much, and 9 percent said they don't approve at all.

Kishida's main governing Liberal Democratic Party has set up a task force in response to a scandal over unreported political funds involving its factions.

Thirteen percent said they think the move will help the LDP regain public trust, while 78 percent said they don't.

Eighty-three percent agreed that the Political Funds Control Law needs to be revised to impose tougher rules, while 9 percent said there is no such need.

Asked about the future of the factions, 5 percent said they can exist as they are. Forty percent said they can continue to exist but reforms are needed, while 49 percent called for their disbandment.

The approval rating for the Kishida Cabinet hit a record low of 23 percent in December. The figure was the lowest since the LDP regained power in 2012.