TOKYO -- A majority of the Japanese public favors a recent government decision that in effect bars ministries and the Self-Defense Forces from using telecommunications equipment made by Chinese companies, the latest Nikkei/TV Tokyo survey finds.

The decision, tied to national security concerns, drew support from 61% of respondents while 21% were opposed, according to the poll conducted from Friday to Sunday.

Asked about the U.S.-China trade war, 74% believed that it will harm the Japanese economy while 15% did not think so.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet held the approval of 47% of respondents, down 4 percentage points from the previous survey in November. Those disapproving rose 6 points to 44%. The approval rating among men was 51%, compared with 41% among women.

Among supporters of Abe's Liberal Democratic Party, cabinet approval fell 9 points to 84%. The approval rating remained 24% among independents.

The cabinet's stability was cited by 44% as a reason for their approval, followed by 34% who noted its global perspective and 25% who praised its strong leadership. Multiple responses were allowed for this question.

Meanwhile, 41% gave distrust of Abe as a reason for their disapproval, and the same percentage cited an LDP-centric cabinet. Thirty-five percent said they are unhappy with how the government or party is managed.

The survey also asked which policies should be a priority for Abe, with multiple responses allowed. Strengthening social security led the way at 46%, while just 10% wanted a constitutional amendment, a long-sought goal of the prime minister.

Thirty-eight percent of respondents said they support the LDP while 37% do not support a specific party.

The poll was carried out by Nikkei Research through random-digit dialing, receiving 990 responses from those 18 and older, for a response rate of 46.3%.