All Cabinet members to accept gov't cash handout+

TOKYO, March 3 Kyodo -
Prime Minister Taro Aso's Cabinet decided Tuesday that all members will accept
a planned government cash handout, after Aso finally declared the previous day
that he would take the money after remaining equivocal for months.
''I asked the Cabinet members to cooperate'' and follow a decision made by the
ruling bloc of Aso's Liberal Democratic Party and the New Komeito party, Chief
Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura told a press conference.
''I receive no objection from any members and we have effectively reached a
consensus,'' said the Japanese government's top spokesman.
Akira Amari, state minister in charge of administrative reform, who agreed
Monday to accept the money, reversing his initial position, said, ''As the
Cabinet decided its policy, it is natural to act as a member of the Cabinet.''
''I would like to follow properly what has been decided,'' said Finance
Minister Kaoru Yosano. ''I will decide how to use the money after consulting
with my wife.''
''We are now tasked with improving the economy,'' Foreign Minister Hirofumi
Nakasone said. ''To stimulate the economy, I myself would like to use the money
and I believe the government is hoping that the public follows suit.''
''It is a bit unfortunate that (the government) could not have proceeded with
the (cash handout) plan more speedily,'' said Yuko Obuchi, state minister in
charge of declining birthrate issues.
The cash disbursement initiative, worth a total of 2 trillion yen, is financed
by a bill related to a second extra budget for the current fiscal year to March
31.
The bill is expected to clear the Diet on Wednesday.
Aso proposed the plan last year as one of his key economic measures to tackle
the global financial crisis, but did not submit the second extra budget
immediately, which resulted in a delay in implementation.
The Democratic Party of Japan-led opposition bloc is opposed to the cash
handout, saying that the 2 trillion yen should be used more effectively.
In a Kyodo News poll held earlier this year, seven out of 10 people answered
they do not support the cash benefit plan.
==Kyodo
2009-03-03 22:33:00