TOKYO, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 60 percent of Japanese believe rice prices will decline following the appointment of Shinjiro Koizumi as farm minister, according to a Kyodo News poll.

The change comes after former minister Taku Eto resigned for saying he never buys rice as his supporters have sent him enough, a remark that sparked public outrage amid record-high rice prices.

Rice prices have doubled over the past year despite government efforts to stabilize supply. Koizumi plans to lower prices to the 2,000-yen (about 14 U.S. dollars) range by selling stockpiled rice directly to retailers.

The Kyodo survey also showed support for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Cabinet rose to 31.7 percent, though 52.6 percent still disapprove.

In the upcoming upper house election, 28.6 percent plan to vote for the ruling party, while 14.3 percent support the Democratic Party for the People and 13.6 percent back the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, according to the poll.