OREANDA-NEWS. Japanese authorities decided to begin direct payments to all residents of the country in May to support them during the crisis. It is reported by Reuters agency with reference to the decision of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The direct payment will amount to 100 thousand yens (927 US dollars). The initial plan was to give households that could prove a drop in income because of the crisis 300 thousand yens each, but later Abe decided to expand the programme. This was done under pressure from some members of Liberal Democratic Party.

Earlier, similar measures to support citizens had been taken in other countries. On March 17, US President Donald Trump reported about an additional anti-crisis package of support measures, under which 250 billion dollars should be allocated to one-time cash payments to the population. Direct cash payments also began in Hong Kong (1,280 dollars) and Singapore (from 70 to 210 dollars).