Japan's parliament has passed legislation to give a cash hand-out to every resident in attempt to boost the recession-hit economy.
Japan's parliament has passed legislation to give a cash hand-out to every resident in attempt to boost the recession-hit economy.
Most people will get at least 12,000 yen ($121; £86) under the $20bn plan.
Most people will get at least 12,000 yen ($121; £86) under the $20bn plan.
But there are fears many Japanese, who have a strong tradition of saving, will hang on to the cash and not spend it.
But there are fears many Japanese, who have a strong tradition of saving, will hang on to the cash and not spend it.
The cash hand-out forms the centrepiece of a stimulus package to revive Japan's economy, which is in a far sharper recession than the US or Europe.
The cash hand-out forms the centrepiece of a stimulus package to revive Japan's economy, which is in a far sharper recession than the US or Europe.
Japan's GDP dropped 3.3% in the final quarter of 2008, a much steeper decline than in the US, which saw a 1.6% drop, and the UK, which contracted by 1.5%.
Japan's GDP dropped 3.3% in the final quarter of 2008, a much steeper decline than in the US, which saw a 1.6% drop, and the UK, which contracted by 1.5%.
Political battle
Political battle
Children under 18 and people aged over 65 would get 20,000 yen as part of the scheme, which was first proposed in October last year.
Children under 18 and people aged over 65 would get 20,000 yen as part of the scheme, which was first proposed in October last year.
Some critics of the plan say it is a ploy to boost the popularity of Prime Minister Taro Aso and will only expand Japan's bulging budget deficit.
Some critics of the plan say it is a ploy to boost the popularity of Prime Minister Taro Aso and will only expand Japan's bulging budget deficit.
The legislation enacting the stimulus plan has been mired in Japan's parliament for weeks.
The legislation enacting the stimulus plan has been mired in Japan's parliament for weeks.
It was passed after the government-controlled lower house overruled a no vote in the upper house, which is dominated by the opposition.
It was passed after the government-controlled lower house overruled a no vote in the upper house, which is dominated by the opposition.
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