TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent a monetary offering to the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine on Monday, local media reported.

Takaichi made the offering to the shrine in Tokyo, a symbol of Japanese militarism and wartime aggression, for its autumn festival through senior officials of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Kyodo News reported.

On the same day, land minister Tatsunori Ibayashi visited the notorious shrine, which honors 14 convicted Japanese Class-A war criminals from World War II, as did LDP election chief Yasutoshi Nishimura and a cross-party lawmakers' group.

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Yasukuni Shrine has long been a source of diplomatic friction between Japan and its neighbors. Visits and ritual offerings made by Japanese officials to the controversial shrine have consistently sparked criticism and opposition both at home and abroad.

Poll: Support for Takaichi cabinet falls to record low

Meanwhile, public support for Takaichi's administration fell to 49.1 percent, the lowest level since she took office in October last year and the first time the figure has dropped below 50 percent, according to a poll released by Kyodo News on Sunday.

The nationwide telephone survey was conducted on Saturday and Sunday, with the cabinet's approval rating falling 4.3 percentage points from the previous month.

The disapproval rating rose to 33 percent from 30.9 percent, the poll showed.

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The decline in public support comes amid mounting controversy over scandals involving cabinet members, including former agriculture minister Kazuo Yana, who was dismissed following criticism over inappropriate remarks and alleged violations of the Public Offices Election Act.

In the latest poll, 57.7 percent of respondents said Takaichi had waited too long to dismiss Yana, while 54.7 percent said his resignation would negatively affect the cabinet's performance.

On economic policy, 65.1 percent of respondents expressed concern that the administration's proposed reduction of the consumption tax on food and beverages from 8 percent to 1 percent for two years starting in April could adversely affect the country's public finances.

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Separately, Japan's education minister Yoshihiro Seki recently apologized over improperly organized political fundraising events, adding to the controversies surrounding cabinet members.

Recent opinion polls conducted by several media organizations have also indicated a marked decline in support for the Takaichi cabinet.