OREANDA-NEWS. Japanese authorities decided in May to begin direct payments to all residents of the country as a measure of support during the crisis. This is reported by the American media with reference to the decision of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The direct payment will amount to 100 thousand yen ($ 927). The initial plan was to issue 300,000 yen to households that could prove a drop in income from the crisis, but later Abe decided to expand the program. This was done, including under pressure from some members of his Liberal Democratic Party, the agency said.

As noted by the Japanese media, a statement on the possible issuance of direct cash assistance to the population in the amount of 100 thousand yen was made by the Japanese prime minister after a meeting with the leader of the Komeito party, Natsuo Yamaguchi. Yamaguchi noted that such payments should be an additional measure to support the economy, which was hit hard by the spread of coronavirus.

Similar measures to support citizens have previously been taken in other countries. March 17, US President Donald Trump announced an additional anti-crisis package of support measures, under which $ 250 billion will go to one-time cash payments to the population.