In the face of criticism over their use, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday that local governments who prefer handing out ¥50,000 in coupons instead of the cash equivalent will continue to have the option.
"Some local governments want to make use of the coupon system, and the national government will consider how to respect those wishes,” Kishida told a Lower House budget committee meeting Tuesday.
Kishida’s comments about the coupons came a day after he said local municipalities would be allowed to hand out ¥100,000 in cash to households with younger children by the end of this year. His remarks on Tuesday were in response to criticism from Seiji Osaka, executive deputy leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP), the largest opposition party.