Japan´s Cabinet Sees Ratings Jump After Reshuffle

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's brand-new cabinet including heavyweight veterans won an approval rating of around 40 percent in a survey released in Tuesday, more than 10 points higher than the previous cabinet.

Abe, 52, whose ratings had been in tatters after his ruling camp's disastrous election defeat last month, ditched most of his close allies and tapped experienced politicians for key posts.

Kyodo news agency said support for the reshuffled cabinet was at 40.5 percent, up 11.5 percentage points from the previous survey conducted shortly after the July 29 upper house election. The nationwide telephone survey was conducted on Monday and Tuesday.