The disapproval rating for Prime Minister Taro Aso's Cabinet, which has risen to 42.2 percent, has exceeded the approval rating for the first time since the government was launched in late September, according to a recent poll.

The disapproval rating for Prime Minister Taro Aso's Cabinet has increased to 42,2% KYODO PHOTO

The approval rating declined 1.6 percentage points to 40.9 percent from the previous survey on Oct. 18 and 19, while the disapproval rating climbed 3.2 points, according to the nationwide telephone survey of 1,027 eligible voters conducted by Kyodo News.

Among the respondents who said they do not support the Cabinet, 27.9 percent blamed Aso's economic policies, up 5.3 points.

Even among those who said they back the Cabinet, only 13.3 percent cited Aso's economic policies as a reason for their support.

The poll found that 58.1 percent are not in favor of the ¥2 trillion worth in cash benefits that Aso has proposed giving to all households by the end of March, while 31.4 percent expressed support for the handout.

On the prime minister's overall additional economic stimulus package worth ¥26.9 trillion, 37.1 percent said they support it, while 47.9 percent said they do not.

The results could reflect concern that the effects of the cash benefits remain unclear and that such lavish government spending could lead to a financial crisis.

On Aso's desire to raise the consumption tax in three years, 55 percent said they are against it, while 40.5 percent said they are in favor.

When he announced the economic stimulus package, Aso said he wants to raise the consumption tax from the current 5 percent in three years after the economy recovers.