Japanese people increasingly favor reinterpreting the nation’s constitution to give its military freer reign to aid allies under attack.

Almost 50% of respondents to an NTV opinion backed recognizing Japan’s right to collective self-defense as long as it is exercised in a very limited way.

The figure is almost three points higher than in May.

The US backs Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s move to reinterpret Japan’s peace constitution.

The prime minister himself lost popularity in the latest survey.

Support for Prime Minister Abe’s cabinet fell below 50%, dropping about two points from May to roughly 48%.