The World : Nakasone Losing Support

Support for Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone has plummeted to 25% amid increasing criticism of his plans to impose a new sales tax and raise defense spending, according to a survey by the nationwide daily Asahi Shimbun. It said this month’s figure, which dropped from from 39% in December, was the lowest since Nakasone became prime minister in November, 1982. The survey of 3,000 eligible voters showed that 82% oppose the proposed implementation of a 5% sales tax and 61% oppose increasing the defense budget beyond 1% of the gross national product.