The microwave cathode was developed as a neutralizer for the microwave ion thrusters of the Japanese asteroid explorers Hayabusa and Hayabusa2. Since it emits hundreds of mA of electron current, ion currents collect at the wall of the cathode, which causes fatal destruction due to sputtering. In an effort to reduce the sputtering voltage, this study investigates the effect of the strength of the magnetic field at the nozzle on the anode voltage. Firstly, a magnetic field is applied at the nozzle by a coli. Using the coil, decreasing the magnetic field intensity increases the electron density at the exit of the nozzle. It is presumed that the applied magnetic field facilitates the detachment of magnetic lines by the electrons inside the microwave cathode, resulting in a reduction of the anode voltage. By weakening the nozzle magnetic field, trapped electrons are reduced and the transportability to the outside is improved. Secondly, to realize the same magnetic field intensity achieved in the first experiment without any additional power consumption, the author proposes the use of a magnetic shield. The magnetic shield reduces the anode voltage from 37 V to 32 V at 180 mA, the nominal current of the flight model. Since the sputtering rate exponentially increases with the anode voltage, reducing the anode voltage through these techniques is effective in increasing the lifetime of the cathode.