Shinzo Abe, Japan’s prime minister, unleashes stimulus plan to spur growth – Business – CBC News.
Japan’s cabinet approved 3.5 trillion yen ($29 billion US) in fresh stimulus Saturday for the ailing economy, pledging to get growth back on track and restore the country’s precarious public finances.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is wrapping up his second year in office hard-pressed to salvage a recovery that fizzled into recession after a sales tax hike in April.
The stimulus plan endorsed by the cabinet includes 600 billion yen ($5 billion US) earmarked for stagnant regional economies. It also lays out Abe’s vision for countering longer term trends such as Japan’s surging public debt and a declining and aging population.
“A strong economy is the wellspring of Japan’s national strength,” said a summary of the plan released by the government.
It pledged to restore vitality to local regions to enable young Japanese “to have dreams and hopes for the future.”
