From wagyu beef to melons, Japan's ¥234 tril virus rescue piques struggling firms

One of the most severe economic downturns in history along with a pandemic.

The genius Japanese government solution: spend lavishly to promote luxury foodstuffs and international tourism dependent on disposable income and safe and affordable air travel, both very much in doubt for the near term. You couldn't make this up.

The government's subsidy list includes items such as five-star sirloin Kobe beef steak, which costs some 5,000 yen for 100 grams, and top-quality Yubari melon that sells for more than 10,000 yen per 1.6-kg fruit.

You have got to joking they get a subsidy?

but is still falling short of sufficient support to an important segment - small businesses which employ 70% of the nation's workforce.

so 70% of the work force is taxed but get no support? are they so despised by the government. It does seem you really need to hire an ex bueuracrat to have any chance of getting any government help.

The government is mainly concerned with the county's superficial image, especially as seen from abroad and travelers coming here: The wide-eyed tourists from overseas who are impressed by a demure woman in a kimono doing a lot of bowing, fake 'omotenashi', temples and shrines and such. You, as a hard-working small restaurant owner will get scraps or nothing but they will give more subsidies to farmers who produce mostly unnecessary and overpriced goods. Unless you are connected to some bureaucrats, good luck with getting help in a timely manner. I would never count on the government coming to my aid quickly. All you need to look at are the people who were displaced after 3/11.

You have got to joking they get a subsidy?

Why do you think the incompetent regime has held power for this long?

I know but when people can't pay rent are eating once a day to get by....subsidies for fat cows and non gold plated Mellons seems obscene. But as you say the they still get voted for? The extra cash they claim is for people disappears. Two tiny masks ( still waiting) and the biggest advertising company has already banked millions? That's makes it pretty clear.

Japan’s politicians is all about filling their own pocketbooks with bribes from their powerful friends.

Normal people will only see scraps.

Many politician billionaires will be made from this crisis.

Expat

You'd also think there would be viable political opposition parties...

How is it the oppositions fault? Even after the only good to come out of this virus that is, expose how grossly incompetent and corrupt the ruling party is, yet still rein popular with the populace. You don't expect the opposition to place a gun against the populace and get them to develop some interest in matters that greatly their livelihood and existence.

Anyone who boasts about consuming any kind of beef - however "prestigious", is out of touch. Beef is a product that is increasingly being grouped with other economic bads such as fossil fuel, international travel, tobacco ...

And any government that supports these and other luxury products is also clearly out of touch.

This week we got our 2 masks. And that's pretty much all I expect from this corrupt imbecillic regime.

Businesses will go under- more and more the economy will begin to collapse. And THAT'S IF we are lucky enough not to have a second wave.

When the purpose of government is to protect / enrich the elite the small people..let them eat cake is their modus operandi. Can Japan survive?

Trillions of yen mean that those cows are getting ‘craft beer’ now!