More than half of the respondents in a Kyodo poll said they have positive expectations for Liberal Democratic Party chief Shinzo Abe, who will become the next prime minister thanks to his party's landslide victory in Sunday's election.
Around 51.2 percent of respondents said they have generally positive expectations for Abe, compared with 44.4 percent who said they do not, according to the nationwide telephone poll conducted Monday and Tuesday.
The poll also found that 33.3 percent are pleased that the LDP achieved an overwhelming victory and will return to power, while 18.6 percent disagreed. Around 47.5 percent said it is too early to tell.
On the framework of the new administration, 32.9 percent would prefer a ruling coalition of the LDP and New Komeito, while 37.6 percent support a three-party coalition composed of the LDP, New Komeito and Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party).
About 14.6 percent support the idea of a coalition government comprising the LDP, New Komeito and the Democratic Party of Japan, which suffered a crushing defeat in the election.
On the future role Nippon Ishin, 71.4 percent said the party should decide to cooperate or vie with the new government on an issue-by-issue basis.
Slightly more than 15 percent said Nippon Ishin should act as an opposition party, while 8.9 percent said it should join a ruling coalition.
The telephone survey covered 1,442 households with eligible voters, of whom 1,019 people provided valid responses.