Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's support rate rose 10 points to outstrip his disapproval rating for the first time since February, a survey showed Monday, improving his chances of weathering a series of scandals to become Japan's longest-serving leader.
Abe's ratings have been on a roller coaster since last year, when the public learned of the heavily discounted sale of state-owned land to a nationalist school operator with ties to his wife. Questions also arose over the government's approval of a new veterinary school for another educational body run by his close friend.
Abe's support rate jumped to 52 percent in a June 22 to 24 survey by the Nikkei business daily, while his disapproval rating fell to 42 percent.