Since she took office last year, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi saw the sharpest drop in her approval rating this month.

In Japan, where public opinion has a larger political impact than in many other democracies, this downturn has raised the question of whether it is the result of normal growing pains of a new administration, or indications of deeper structural problems. The facts point to a combination of the two.

Takaichi has outpaced her three predecessors in public approval, maintaining historic highs that are reminiscent of her mentor, the late Shinzo Abe. It was only this month that Takaichi saw up to 10-point drops in approval ratings from some polls. With numbers still ranging from the low 40s and high 50s, it has captured attention from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, but not alarm.