All municipalities start giving cash handouts to residents

Friday 29th May, 06:31 AM JST

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14 Comments

some14some at 07:58 AM JST - 29th May

No news yet, although i am holding account with Mega Bank my municipality is almost bankrupt that could be the reason.
noborito at 08:24 AM JST - 29th May

my local KAWASAKI only does it by bank transfer. let's see at 210 yen or 410 yen per transfer, the banks are making a killing off of this. so shouldn't we say it is a huge handout to the banks.
pathat at 08:35 AM JST - 29th May

"It took nearly three months for the controversial program, which enables individuals to receive payments ranging from 12,000 yen to 20,000 yen, to be implemented in all cities, wards, towns and villages nationwide."

A waste of money that just continues the long-running trend since the economic bubble burst to ratchet up the national deficit to stratospheric levels and damn the consequences.

"The government’s cash handout plan had faced criticism from opposition parties as ‘‘pork barrel’’ politics aimed at wooing voters prior to the House of Representatives election that must be held by the fall."

Of course it's pork barrel politics, and the small part of the electorate that truly pays attention to the national government's doings, recognizes it as such.

However, the LDP will play for time and watch the DPJ shoot itself in the foot with scandals, and so-called leaders who lack any real vision for Japan's future.
Badsey at 09:04 AM JST - 29th May

Wow, Japan is becoming like the U.S? Should I spend my AsoYen now or wait until they are more worthless.
desmosedici at 12:35 PM JST - 29th May

Upon hearing I got the envelope in the mail, my (Japanese) acquaintances told me, that each individual cash handout costs the government actually a whopping 80.000 yen per person. I can't confirm this amount myself, but unless this was an effort by volunteers, it surely is a lot more than the petty cash we are getting. Money which has already been coughed up by ourselves through taxes.
steen at 04:06 PM JST - 29th May

Got mine today and all used up today - petrol in the car and food for the family. Did I stimulate the economy?
LostinNagoya at 04:57 PM JST - 29th May

I bought a new carry-on suitcase, I doubt I helped the economy...my neighborhood looks like a ghost town.
franz75 at 05:41 PM JST - 29th May

"Got mine today and all used up today - petrol in the car and food for the family. Did I stimulate the economy?" you just did!

"I bought a new carry-on suitcase, I doubt I helped the economy" you just did!

I saved mine for better days. "annnnnnd it's gone. next!"
bakabaka at 05:52 PM JST - 29th May

Jeez.... got mine 6 weeks ago...gonna spend it in Seoul.
Tezbo at 06:51 PM JST - 29th May

Still waiting for MINE, and its already spent paying the Local Ward for my tax funds since I got laid off in March, GET THAT get 12000 and have to pay 27000...

Tezbo
Monoflow at 11:22 PM JST - 29th May

An extra 12'000 to spend in the nearby pachinko hall...
jonnyboy at 11:59 PM JST - 29th May

applied for mine quite a few weeks ago and still haven't received it. post office account, though, so supposed to take longer
Sarge at 12:06 AM JST - 30th May

I hear over 60% of Japanese think this is a dumb idea.

jonnyboy - You actually have money in a post office account?
nadavaloryo at 08:34 PM JST - 3rd June

for gaijin that help on us..thanks a lot jp,,,12000 yen