What do you think of the government's plan to give a Y12,000 cash handout to members of the public in an effort to stimulate the economy?

Wednesday 07th January, 07:14 AM JST

Latest 15 of 44 Total Comments Show All

dontpanic at 08:44 PM JST - 7th January

"eliminate the pork subsidies handed out to the construction industry in cahoots with the transportation industry". Do that and you'll see a collapse in employment never before.

Taking on extra debt to cover a ¥12,000 payout is ludicrous. The money should be ploughed into supporting pensioners, education and health.
dontpanic at 08:45 PM JST - 7th January

I meant to say "a collapse in employment like never before" - soz.
Nessie at 11:10 PM JST - 7th January

¥12,000 payout? Nothing in comparison to the $600 the U.S. gave last year.

And it worked like a charm in the U.S.
Triumvere at 11:49 PM JST - 7th January

Dumb. That's what I think.

But, they'd probaby just waste it anyway.

Still, dumb.
sf2k at 05:18 AM JST - 8th January

if they really had a clue what to do, it wouldn't be giving money away. Rather it would be investing in a Post Carbon Japan, high on (real) recycling and electricity, geo thermal, stirling engines and insulation. As Japan imports all its fossil fuels and will be rendered inoperable more so than any other country.

the prospect of disaster management from this or any gov't does not look promising.
warispeace at 08:15 AM JST - 8th January

It's good for the sake and pachinko industries and a nice gift to the banks, where everyone else will stash it.
fds at 10:43 AM JST - 8th January

it'll do nothing to stimulate the ecomony as most people will not spend it in these economic times. instead of cash, they should give out checks, coupons or something with an expiry date which could be used like cash and redeemed only by business.
Disillusioned at 11:42 AM JST - 8th January

Granted, I agree that this money could be better spent... but on the other hand I'm not one to turn down money (especially since it's money I've already paid in taxes), and if I recieve ¥12,000 per family member plus and additional ¥8,000 for each kid then I'm looking at a decent chunk of change. Of course I'll be packing some of that away in savings but it will also provide a little extra spending money as well.

Yeah, me too! I'll be posting it back to Oz so I can deposit in my Oz bank account at 60yen. Woo Hoo!
saborichan at 01:20 PM JST - 8th January

60 yen? not this week :/
eternityforme at 02:49 PM JST - 8th January

In Aust, we received $1000 (Aust$) from the government just before Xmas. According to the media, it did cause a ripple in certain sectors of the aussie economy, but nothing to get overly excited about.
eternityforme at 02:49 PM JST - 8th January

Close to 70Y now
realist at 06:05 PM JST - 8th January

What do I think of the government`s plan? STUPID.
knews at 07:29 PM JST - 8th January

Well, it is about 4 cases of beer (or 8 cases of happoshu).... which should help us forget about how small an amount it is..... I'd accept it.
mistyblue at 10:18 PM JST - 8th January

Stupid! But Y12,000 is Y12,000, no sweat!
Sarge at 10:40 PM JST - 8th January

I think less government spending and cutting taxes will do far more to stimulate business than these handouts. But as knews says, it would pay for 8 cases of happoshu, which will last me about four months. Heck, I'd accept it!