An NHK opinion poll shows that the approval rate for Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's Cabinet stands at 36 percent, unchanged from last month, while the disapproval rate rose by 1 point to 44 percent.

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

Among those who approve of the Cabinet, 45 percent said it seems better than other possible ones, 27 percent said it consists of political parties they support, and 10 percent said they trust Kishida.

Of those who disapprove of the Cabinet, 56 percent said they do not expect much from its policies, 20 percent said it lacks the ability to implement policies, and 10 percent said they do not trust Kishida.

Asked about which issue the Cabinet should place as the top priority among six options, 50 percent picked economic policies, including measures to deal with rising prices. This is followed by measures to address the declining birthrate with 13 percent, social security with 11 percent, diplomacy and national security with 9 percent, environment and energy with 5 percent and revising the Constitution with 4 percent.

The government plans to compile economic measures, including steps to deal with rising prices, by around the end of the month.

Asked about the level of their expectations for the measures, 6 percent said "very high" and 32 percent said "to some extent," while 41 percent said "not so much," and 16 percent said "not at all."

The government faces the challenge of securing funds to raise defense spending and step up measures to deal with Japan's low birthrate.

Asked about whether the respondents are worried about the country's financial situation, 40 percent said they are worried "very much" and 36 percent said "to some extent," while 14 percent said "not so much" and 5 percent said "not at all."