Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's Cabinet is facing sagging approval ratings, one year after his inauguration.

The cabinet, which was launched on October 4 of last year, enjoyed steady poll numbers until July.

While his government focused on a range of measures to contain the coronavirus, such as tightening border controls and bolstering medical systems, it also tried to keep the economy going.

In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Japan joined its Group of Seven partners and other countries in imposing sanctions against Russia and providing support to Ukraine.

Kishida also led his ruling Liberal Democratic Party and junior coalition partner Komeito to victories in last year's Lower House election and the July Upper House poll.

In the months through July, the Cabinet's approval rating hovered around 50 percent.

But the number started dropping in August. It fell to 40 percent in September, amid controversy over the government's decision to hold a state funeral for former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.

The drop also came at a time when the links between LDP lawmakers and a religious group formerly known as the Unification Church came under public scrutiny.

During a policy speech at an extraordinary Diet session on Monday, Kishida pledged to sincerely listen to public opinions and respond to them in a humble and careful manner.

Kishida is committed to giving further explanations of the government's decision on Abe's state funeral, as well as of the LDP politicians' ties with the religious group.

He believes that that commitment, as well as his plans to address higher prices, the weakening of the yen and other economic issues, will help shore up approval ratings.