Lower House OKs ¥19 trillion extra budget despite criticism of virus measures
Opposition lawmakers claim the aid for medical workers and people in need is insufficient, saying funds for the Go To Travel campaign should be eliminated or reduced.
Japan's December CPI down 1.0% in steepest fall in over 10 years
The drop is largely due to lower energy prices and the government's travel subsidy campaign, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Diet in review: Suga defensive on virus response but steadfast on Olympics
Japan's prime minister took heat from one opposition lawmaker after another during three days of question-and-answer sessions.
Tourism push linked to surge in Japan's COVID-19 cases, study shows
The paper said the incidence of travel-associated COVID-19 cases during the Go To Travel campaign was around three times greater than the month prior to its kick-off.
Suga's deference to LDP heavyweight blamed for COVID-19 policy delays
LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai's ties to the tourism industry are believed to have delayed the Go To Travel campaign halt and played a role in slowing a second emergency declaration.
Japan's November household spending grows 1.1%, up for second month
Household spending is a key gauge of private consumption and accounts for over half of Japan's gross domestic product.
One big source of trouble has been the government’s Go To Travel campaign, which provides steep discounts for domestic travel.
The year-end and New Year's holiday period, which is normally the busiest season for the tourism industry, is now unprecedentedly quiet.
Japan halts new entries from around world over coronavirus variant
Also on Monday, the government suspended its Go To Travel tourism promotion campaign through Jan. 11.
Suga urges caution over New Year's break as COVID-19 cases keep rising
Officials say the surge in new infections is already affecting local health care systems and overwhelming hospitals at a time of the year when staffing is limited.
The government's Go To Travel subsidy campaign offers only temporary aid for hotels that had difficulty attracting domestic visitors even before the pandemic.
Japan jobless rate falls for first time in five months as economy rallies
Separate data showed the job availability ratio in the reporting month also improved to 1.06 from 1.04 the previous month, up for the second straight month.
