NHK's latest opinion poll indicates that more than 50 percent of respondents support the Japanese government's plan to increase defense spending.

NHK conducted the telephone survey from Saturday through Monday. More than 1,200 people responded.

Pollsters asked about Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's plan to increase defense spending and fundamentally reinforce the country's defense capabilities.

Fifty-five percent of the respondents said they agree on the increase, 29 percent said they disagree, and 15 percent said they were not sure or did not answer.

The survey also asked those who agreed how the government should fund the plan.

Sixty-one percent said by cutting the budget for other fields, 19 percent said through the issuance of government bonds, and 16 percent said tax hikes.

The survey also asked people about the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Seven percent said they highly approve, and 52 percent said they approve to some degree. Twenty-eight percent said they somewhat disapprove, and 7 percent did not have a positive view at all.