News Japanese government considering ¥30,000 stimulus checks to revitalize economy

The government is considering offering one-time support payments of 30,000 yen to low-income households exempt from resident tax as part of a stimulus package for Japan's economy, sources close to the matter said Wednesday. There is also a proposal to add 20,000 yen per child to such households with children, the sources said. The cash handouts would come as rising energy and other costs have been affecting Japanese households. Under the stimulus package, to be compiled later this month, the government is also expected to reintroduce subsidies for electricity and gas bills and extend those aimed at curbing gasoline prices beyond the year-end deadline. The government will draw a supplementary budget to finance the stimulus measures, aiming to have it passed by parliament within the year. The amount of the support payments could be raised depending on discussions with the ruling parties, the sources said.

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Mikawa Ossan said:

Didn't they do something similar back in 2009? It was right at the time I left, but I seem to recall people looking at the idea with disdain. Has that changed, I wonder?

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Mikawa Ossan said:

Another gimmick to stimulate the economy I remember from around that time was the introduction of the 2000 yen bill. I don't remember exactly when that was (probably Y2K), but it was another idea that was thoroughly derided in the circles around me. It's a pretty bill, though. I think it's become the $2 bill of Japan.

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Lothor said:

Apparently, they are not popular with Japanese people, so foreign exchange places give them to tourists.

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