Japan can cut its deficit by more than 100 trillion yen in five years by allowing firms to put their names on landmarks like the Rainbow Bridge, selling off prime land and securitizing state loans, a Liberal Democratic Party fiscal reform subpanel said Wednesday.
Two money-making ideas proposed in the subpanel's interim report were for the government to put ads on cars used to chauffeur politicians and senior civil servants around town, and to have companies bid for advertising space on high-profile properties such as highways, Tokyo's National Stadium and the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.
"We think we could get a company to pay at least 100 million yen a year to put their name on National Stadium," said panel member Ichiro Kamoshita. "I doubt anyone would be willing to pay 1 billion yen, but who knows?"