Gov't to extend cash handouts to 2 mil registered foreign residents

Sunday 21st December, 07:40 AM JST

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larguero at 08:35 PM JST - 21st December

I agree with the measure, but they should not give money, but tickets to buy things. Doing that, we could avoid people using the cash to travel abroad, gamble in stocks, keep it at home or buying foreign assets. Besides, the shock would be immediate, as people would be more willing to spend a ticket than a real 10 thousand yen bill. Nacho
bakabaka at 08:37 PM JST - 21st December

I will be getting 12,000 yen from the Japanese government. I will buy some imported food.
elbudamexicano at 10:19 PM JST - 21st December

12,000 yen?? This is PEANUTS! How about 120,000 yen and maybe this will re-start this zombie of an economy, but a measly 12,000 I prefer they lower the sales taxes on electronics, cars,houses,etc..
Philmoscowitz at 12:13 AM JST - 22nd December

only 12,000 yen? that's it? what can i do with 12,000 yen? that's like one night out on the town, or one dinner date, or 1/10 the cost of the new jacket i want, or 1/5 of the cost of Hawaii vacation i want. sheesh!
seesaw at 12:15 AM JST - 22nd December

..let's see what I could do with 12,000 yen..a lotion for my face..hmm...not bad...:)
UnagiDon at 02:19 AM JST - 22nd December

I guess asking that this be made retroactive is a bit too much for us ex-expats?
UnagiDon at 02:23 AM JST - 22nd December

Foreign tourists, foreigners overstaying their visas and other illegal aliens will not be recognized as legitimate recipients, the ministry said.

This smacks of discrimination and shows Japan's rampant xenophobia and ill-treatment of foreigners and their bicycles! If I have to get fingerprinted at the airport I should be given cash, or a backrub, as compensation for such a violent violation of my inviolable rights.

That was fun.
BlackFlag at 02:25 AM JST - 22nd December

I'm sure it was, good for you.
BigInJapan at 09:54 AM JST - 22nd December

I am sure that 12kY extra spending per person will revitalize the Japanese economy.
saborichan at 12:10 PM JST - 22nd December

What a bizarre plan. Oon the same JT spread we have a story about the precarious situation of Japan's increasingly irregular workforce (1/3 of workers, according to the article!) and yet those same people are being expected to buy something luxurious precisely when they are feeling a 'poisonous atmosphere' of fear in the office?
TravelingSales at 01:36 PM JST - 22nd December

Should be limited to those who have paid at least 12 million in tax - no matter over what period.

Or, even fairer, give each of us back 10% of the total tax we've paid.
whitepocky at 02:16 PM JST - 22nd December

I see most on here are complaining about the JPY12,000 they will be receiving next year from the government. On one hand, if you didn't get it, the calls of racism would ring out loud. The fact that you will, you're calling the Japanese government stingy. Get of your high horses and be grateful that at least you are involved in the scheme. If you don't want your share, I'm sure there are some families out there who would be more than glad to receive it in these hard times. How about JT sets up a pot for all the disgruntled foreign community to contribute to those worse off than ourselves.
shiuu at 03:56 PM JST - 22nd December

If the government is passing out money, I'll take my share.

Still, I don't think it's stingy as much as I think it's just retarded. Especially considering the same government says it'll need to double the consumption tax to cover increased expenses in the very near future.

Anyway, as I noted above, I'll be doing exactly what the government doesn't want with my share: dropping it in a savings account to help cover those looming tax increases down the road.
taj at 04:05 PM JST - 22nd December

I hope that we will not be expected to all take a half day off work to visit our local ward offices to claim this money. If that is the case, it might be a good idea to have those "red-feather" donation boxes set up near the exits, so that anyone who feels they don't need this stimulous can donate the money to the worse off in their community.

Best of all would be a mail in card for people who can't take the time away from work, which would allow the city or ward office to directly donate the money.
BurakuminDes at 02:03 PM JST - 24th December

This is fantastic news. I plan to go and buy a selection of Australian wines with my money...