She's seen as a breath of fresh air after a succession of uninspiring male prime ministers. Her comments about defending Taiwan were also popular (except, I guess with shopkeepers and hoteliers in tourist areas) and the sudden decline in Chinese mass-tourism that resulted in Beijing's paddy-wack has also not been unpopular! Hotel prices have come down, public transport and tourist spots are less crowded!

I talked to my college students before she became prime minister and most of the boys hated Ishiba and Takaichi seems popular with the younger voters. However, while her government's massive stimulation package might make life easier for now, it is those younger voters and their offspring (if they have any kids) who will have to bear the ever increasing debt burden.
!ALIVE
!BBH