Japan PM Abe popular with businesses, despite approval slide - Reuters poll

As reported by Reuters in one of their polls, Japanese business leaders strongly favour Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, despite the PM's slipping approval rating with the Japanese public.

Key quotes

"Out of 223 respondents, 73 percent wanted Shinzo Abe to win a third, three-year term as the leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party."

" 94 percent want the ruling bloc that is dominated by the LDP to stay in power."

"Asked who is best suited to be prime minister, Abe topped the list at 52 percent. He was followed by former cabinet minister Shigeru Ishiba - who wants to challenge Abe for the top post - with 17 percent."

"Japan’s latest GDP data showed the economy is in the midst of its longest run of growth in almost three decades."