The government will grant zero- and low-interest loans to aid small business owners in Hokkaido who have been adversely affected by the eruption of Mount Usu, Ministry of International Trade and Industry chief Takashi Fukaya said Friday.
The decision was made in response to strong demands from local businesses, Fukaya said, adding that the measure will retroactively incorporate 640 million yen in disaster restoration loans already extended by governmental financial institutions since the end of March.
The interest-free loans will be available to small and medium-size enterprises based in and around the town of Abuta, which has been severely affected by the eruptions. The central and local governments will shoulder the cost of the lending.