Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, May 21, 2002
Asylum Row Dents Koizumi Image
Public distrust of Japan's handling of a diplomatic row with China over asylum seekers has caused Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's popularity to fall below 40 per cent.
Public distrust of Japan's handling of a diplomatic row with China over asylum seekers has caused Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's popularity to fall below 40 per cent.
The support rate for Mr Koizumi's Cabinet fell to 38 per cent from 42 per cent in April according to a nationwide survey by the Asahi daily.
It was the first time that his support rating has fallen below 40 per cent in the Asahi polls.
The newspaper telephoned 3,813 people and received 2,044 valid responses in the poll.
Those not supporting Mr Koizumi cited Tokyo's handling of five north Koreans who sought asylum at a Japanese consulate in China as the main reason.
As many as 75 per cent of respondents said they do not trust the Foreign Ministry's position that Chinese guards entered the consulate in Shenyang without permission to seize the five refugees.