Gov't promises swift coronavirus payouts, starting in May

At my workplace it seems unaminous amongst my Japanese colleagues that I have heard discussing this issue, that only Japanese nationals should get the money. One guy said to me why should we waste money on foreigners, they can always go home? There’s no sort of awareness amongst these people that some of us have lived in Japan over 25 years, have a Japanese spouse and children and pay a high amount of tax every year in its various form.

Wow, so absolutely zero details on how and the method and how to apply and who is eligible (for what is actually owed to the tax payer.)

Fine article.

Ineffectual government in Japan needs a complete makeover!

If you're on the family register you are eligible, Nationality is irrelevant.

https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20200417-00010019-huffpost-soci

Most top comments support and agree that residents who pay tax and live in Japan legal should receive it regardless of national.

Use the money wisely people.

Stay safe!

Fools could not run a bath let alone a country.

All they need to do is drop 100,000yen into every bank account quite simple really.

They will spend trillions trying to figure a long winded system with about 15 hurdles to go through to enable people to claim it all the time lining the pockets of their own ilk.

a payment of 100,000 yen to all citizens.

Only citizens?

I read on NHK that it would be given to all "residents"... For whatever that's worth at this point. In going to guess no one really knows yet.

Here's some info I gathered from Japanese news websites

No clear info whether foreigners are included or not. The term 国民(citizen) is often used

A lot of discussions are going on, one of the themes is 「外国人は対象外にしてほしい」 (we would like foreigners to be excluded)

「外国人労働者は母国に助けを求めればいいではないか」foreigners should be helped by their own countries. Comment: You have PR, you've been living here for 20+ years, you pay taxes and so on. Your only remaining tie to your place of birth is your passport but hey, ask your own country for help.

The Japanese communist party chairman Kazuo Shii has requested for everybody (including foreigners) to be allowed to receive the payout.

In 2009, foreigners did receive the 12000 yen handout. Fingers crossed this time will be no different!

Farcical, swooping like an aerial tortoise, a few months late after following the lead of other civilised countries, but not quite. It has that "unique" Japanese twit. They can not actually bring themselves (LDP) to move above a snails pace to help their supporters, but continue to have a belief that those same underlings will just suck it up. For the benifit of the group.

Not that I want it but what happened to the Beef/Fish coupons?/ Ok we are getting 2 masks (sending mine back) I have a T- shirt I can use. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, America have all given citizens financial help. The LDP brought in My Number System but claim it can't be used to pay back people. What a shimozol.

My daughter who is studying abroad in California was put on lockdown in the middle of last month,the next day her university,UCLA started online classes.........her uni over here which is one of the 'famous ones' won't have online lessons until after the Goldenweek holidays.....which means that it will have taken them about 6 weeks to get up and running......this in 'high-tech' Japan as well.

The Japanese communist party chairman Kazuo Shii has requested for everybody (including foreigners) to be allowed to receive the payout.

Once again, only the communists are being sensible.

umbrella:

One guy said to me why should we waste money on foreigners, they can always go home?

You should ask your colleagues to ask all the Japanese living in New York to stop singing, refuse handouts from the government, and come straight back to Japan (regardless of whether they're infected or not). Not America's problem. Certain people have never experienced the 'shoe on the other foot' feeling.

@smith: Who on earth in the modern world uses a bank book anymore.

A lot of Japanese people.

It would be cool if they actually used MyNumber and let you login on an online platform through it and apply for the payment on an account you specify there.

Yeh, it will be cool until you find out you can't enter your whole name because there's a 10 character limit. So you try to shorten your name but then it rejects you because it differs from your bank account name.

This has happened to me many times here.

As swift as the mask dispersal?

"Starting in May". Finishing in.. November? 2021?

One guy said to me why should we waste money on foreigners, they can always go home? There’s no sort of awareness amongst these people that some of us have lived in Japan over 25 years, have a Japanese spouse and children and pay a high amount of tax every year in its various form.

Every office/workplace has its idiots.

Tell them that Japan is your home. That's what I do.

JT, could you update on this later as information comes up? Will be greatly appreciated.

Quick response in May, so it could be at least another month for some! Government officials dont work during Golden Week so, forget that!

One of my colleagues read an article on Bloomberg in Japanese which translated as 'Fiscal Residents'. To the best of my knowledge if you have been here 5 years+ paying tax - you are classed at the tax office as such, So, lets see next week, if and when it goes to the Diet.

@Umbrella

Your co-workers seem to be a trifle

unenlightened...

If I don't get that cash, I am definitely going out on to the street to protest!

I am gonna shove Abenomask in his face if I don't get that abenopoketto mane! XD

The 2009 Taro Aso stimulus included foreigners, I know because I got ot back then. My assumption here is pretty much anyone with a juminhyo, which includes all legal residents.

""He said people can apply online or by email, although exact details of how this will be done and the logistics have not been worked out yet.""

Unbelievable, just can't and will not give this aid the easy way, there must be a catch or an obstacle in the way. Try to tell and 80 years old citizen to file online SIR, how much more difficult and stupid can this get.

If all citizens and PR holders are to get those 100K Yen per person, then it goes into the bank account registered with the city council, house papers members listed. No need to apply. Goes automatically, as 20,000Y for child support every 3 months as it was with my former city council.

If that happens.

Reckon citizens including non-Japanese residents has been lost in translation or they’re prioritising citizens first as there’s less than 1% foreign residents. I watched the press conference in Japanese and they did mention in 2009 all DID include foreigners. Helicopter money on the horizon. It’s not a minor amount of money though, but the right decision looks like it’s been made.

Not quite that easy Bjorn. Many people have more than one bank account AT different banks.

A thousand bucks is better than nothing, but I don’t know what people will do from the second week of May and beyond.

There are many Japanese living and going to school overseas. I know many students here in Australia that have lost their livelihoods as part time restaurant workers. I hope this payment will be extended to them as well. I’m also hoping my Mrs gets it. I need some new tyres on my car.

Reckless,

Hope so......I need a bit of coin to drop into my bank account to keep the missus happy.

It would be cool if they actually used MyNumber and let you login on an online platform through it and apply for the payment on an account you specify there.

It would be the most logical development given money orders require physical presence to be cashed out and close interactions should be discouraged during a pandemic.

How about children? Babies? Everyone gets 100K?

If your family is 4 members (you and your wife, and 2 children), then you get 40,0000 yen.

proceed with this speedily.

Yes, Mr. Aso we hear you. The genius behind the last payout.

自民党, just give me my 10 man and forget your antiquated dreams.

Back in 2009 I got a letter from the city asking for my bank despoit info, first I thought it was a bill but it was the Taro Aso stimulus.

At my workplace it seems unaminous amongst my Japanese colleagues that I have heard discussing this issue, that only Japanese nationals should get the money. One guy said to me why should we waste money on foreigners, they can always go home? There’s no sort of awareness amongst these people that some of us have lived in Japan over 25 years, have a Japanese spouse and children and pay a high amount of tax every year in its various form.

A lot of trainees and foreign workers contribute hugely to the Japanese economy and stability. There are increasingly more Vietnamese engineers and medical workers in Japan. There are also increasingly more Western IT workers in Japan. These people are doing jobs that many Japanese are either incapable or lazy to do.

If Japan wants to stay relevant in the next decades (I think it won't be as long as LDP is in charge), then it has to put away xenophobia.

Why give money to people who haven’t lost any income from the business restrictions and slowdown? The debt isn’t large enough it needs to be padded a bit more?

Because the cost of putting together a system of management to determine whether people qualify, then policing it for fraud, creates such a level of bureaucracy that may very well end up costing more than just giving anyone who applies the $1000, and asking those who don't need it to refrain.

Dango bong

swift = next month?

Given that's only 2 weeks or so away, and the size of what they are undertaking: yeah, "swift" is an accurate description.

roughneckToday 05:44 pm JST

So are they considering only Japanese nationals in scope or also foreign nationals?

It's "expected" to be available to everyone:

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/04/363a734a19b1-100000-yen-handout-should-be-ready-by-may-aso.html

@HBJ

I know nothing about economics, but it seems that the idea is partly to get the economy back on its feet.

So, individual suffering aside, any stimulus might be seen as a good thing. Spread the magic dust across the nation and see what sprouts....

I don't know if JT edited the article since first posting it, but it clearly states that it's not just limited to citizens.

*"...cash payouts of 100,000 yen for all, including foreign residents as well as Japanese citizens..."*

A lot of smoke before we will see the fire.

In other G countries there is talk of universal income to all.

So the money has been generated, it is just there, created by using natural resources and human geniality.

Only the mindset of the of the ones in charge still admire old fashioned imperialism and will not live up to the possibilities of this age.

Show me the mooooooooooooooney!

That is rediculous, people need help yesterday. What are they waiting for? Like or hate the USA and the president, the people are already receiving their checks as promised. Get it together Japan, even third world countries are doing a better job.

The Japanese communist party chairman Kazuo Shii has requested for everybody (including foreigners) to be allowed to receive the payout.

A good man. The JCP is the only political party that has heart for the people and intellect to solve the country issues. Too bad, Americans keep backing up the LDP at all costs.

I had to use My NUmber for tax purposes. They paid me back over ¥500,000 to my bank account. They know who I am and where my wife and I are.

@Cricky: I have not gotten my American money yet my wife.

*I am pretty sure all taxpayers regardless of nationality get it.*

So... the furrin taxpayers will get it, but not the non-earning, non-tax-paying sengyo shufu?

Can't see that happening.

Invalid CSRF

Excuse my ignorance, but why should pensioners get the payout?

I realise that sounds so uncompassionate but surely pensions haven’t been affected by the virus - so the income of anyone drawing a pension should be the same.

Does the 100,000 to every citizen mean that pensioners will be getting a 100,000 boost to their income in May?

If so, why?

including foreign residents

There are a lot of Korean and Chinese (permanent residents) who don't have Japanese citizenship. It seems they can get the money.

Why do your Japanese colleagues have a problem with foreigners getting the money. Isn't the whole purpose to stimulate economic activity? Wouldn't foreigners be contributing to the stimulation as long as they don't hoard it?

Can any economist out there also explain to me how long it will take before the exertion on the demand for commodities and services raise prices to the point that our real balances are essentially unchanged?

@zichi - I think you and wife will get paid. Quickly.

Because the time and effort spent employing people to arbitrate who should get money and why is more expensive than the blanket payment and would take longer. But if you want to advocate for a slower, more expensive, less effective response to this global crisis, by all means give us your pitch.

Zichi: Will it include the 80,000 serving time in prisons?

48,800 in 2019. Which doesn’t of course include all those who elsewhere would’ve gotten a cutodial sentence but here get an order of the feather duster suspended one.

https://www.prisonstudies.org/country/japan

I should go to everyone over 20 with a my number and anyone under 20 with a my number card needs to apply for it in a simple manner(online)

So are they considering only Japanese nationals in scope or also foreign nationals?

How about children? Babies? Everyone gets 100K?

Aso said on a media press: It will be given who wants who doesn't want no need to apply. Why is a politician number 2 at this ruled govenrnement?

In 2009 all residents (including foreigners) who paid resident tax received 12,000 yen. I think this time money is only for all citizens and permanent residents. I doubt migrant workers can get'em.

The local term is ばらまき, has been used since feudal times.

My Number I.D. Card = 12,000 yen.

Easy.

My Number I.D. Card = 100,000 yen. 

Easy. (sorry about previous typo)

Sounds like the reporting is mere interpretation rather than explicit guidelines.

Also in all this time they never fixed the inexplicable unnecessary 10 character limit form, so that'll go well.

Would suggest forming support groups now while you can

Not everyone has an email account or a computer...

Even on Japanese sites they don't tell you who is eligible.

They said 12-16 trillion yen, so a simple calculation that even the LibDems should manage to do, and that should include every single person living in Japan...

kwatt: "In 2009 all residents (including foreigners) who paid resident tax received 12,000 yen."

Yes, a one-time payment so as to PERMANENTLY give up family tax credits. Don't forget that part.

the government give cash payouts of 100,000 yen for all, including foreign residents as well as Japanese citizens, in an effort to cushion the economic impact.

Why give money to people who haven’t lost any income from the business restrictions and slowdown? The debt isn’t large enough it needs to be padded a bit more?

A majority of people has a bank account in Japan. So the right starting point. For the minority they should form an orderly social distanced queue at the local ward offices. To make this safer they can stagger the collection to a certain number of people per day over a week or two.

zichi: "This happened because of the Komeito Party making the request to PM Abe."

Just in case you're blaming the Komeito, and I'm not sure that you are, yes, he initiated the talks for 100,000 to each person, I don't believe he said anywhere that it should replace the 300,000 for people whose income has been drastically effected. In fact, I'm pretty sure the only way Abe jumped on board was he saw it as an easy way to pay out less and in effect save more for the big companies and for projects like his "two masks per household" wonder.

"People will probably have to use "My Number" for identification."

I can guarantee it, and since we'll have to give them our bank info (and likely copies of bank books with at least a month of transactions), they'll be looking to see who's paying what before doling out the cash.

And by the way, how is May "swift"?

@smith: Who on earth in the modern world uses a bank book anymore.

For once (and rarely) I think think this is going be a fairly swift process albeit with online access and yes - of course you will have to give them bank details and My Number otherwise what's to stop people making multiple claims who have more than one bank account as do I. I am TOTALLY expecting this to be a tax free payment for all fiscal residents (I'll let you check that definition for yourself). If you don't want to provide these details to protect your civil liberties then that's your problem. For retirees - why would they not be entitled to the payment as long as they are in possession of My Number and have been taxpayers previously. Abe is a fool - on that I agree but this really is just appeasement to take the pressure off him and his mistakes. The amount of money is basically too small to affect your tax credits anyway.

Yes - this is replacing the 300,00 for those whose income has been drastically affected, I see this tasing through the Diet fairly quickly. Yes, expecting thumbs down from the normal suspects but if you've not been hiding from paying your taxes over the years, then I believe you will get it.

You know if you REALLY oppose this, why don't you leave? Oh! Oops you kind of missed your chance even though you have been at the forefront of criticizing Japans response (correctly actually) Always remember you DON'T belong here whatever you may think - And I've got a bloody good mind to report you for taking unsolicited photographs of people breaking no actual laws.

swift = next month?

All people who have Japanese citizenship can get the money. Children and not working wives (sengyo shufu) also can get the money. Foreign residents must be Zai-nichi (permanent residents in Japan) Koreans and Chinese. No way for migrant workers.