TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The approval rate for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Cabinet rose to 69.9 percent, up 5.5 percentage points from the previous poll conducted shortly after she took office late last month, a Kyodo News survey showed Sunday.

The survey, held over two days from Saturday, found that 60.4 percent favored an increase in defense spending to bolster Japan's defense capabilities, while 48.8 percent supported the exercise of its right to collective self-defense in the event of a Taiwan contingency.

The opposing rates stood at 34.7 percent and 44.2 percent, respectively.

Earlier this month, Takaichi said in parliament that a Taiwan emergency involving the use of military force could be recognized as a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan under its security legislation, which may allow it to exercise the right of collective self-defense.

Asked whether they felt Takaichi showed a willingness to resolve a high-profile slush funds scandal involving the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which she heads, 64.7 percent responded in the negative, while 27.6 percent said they felt so.

Regarding the recent spate of bear attacks on humans, 65.0 percent said the Japanese government has been slow to address the issue.

The disapproval rate for Takaichi's Cabinet stood at 16.5 percent.