Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Free Govenrment Money
This should come as a surprise to no one, but there is a global economic crisis, as it is being billed by most major news networks. So the Japanese government is seeking to remedy this by offering an economic stimulus to residents. A relatively small amount of money, about 120 U.S. dollars, is being given to everyone in the country in the hopes that people will spend it and stimulate the ailing economy. This includes foreigners living in Japan (as long as they registered as a resident before the first of February). I'm sure that there was (and is) heavy debate as to whether or not this was (and is) a good idea. My opinion is that it was a good move, especially giving money to the foreign exchange students. Because the amount is fairly small, most students won't think to squirrel it away and will instead go out and spend it. Granted, that might only serve to stimulate the alcohol industry in Japan, but it is better then nothing. Below are the letters that went out to all the foreign residents eligible for the stimulus.
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What do you think students will spend the money on? Have you received your money yet? What will you spend it on? Seems like you could have taken pictures of all the interesting stuff people will buy...
ReplyDeleteTo me, this seems like a whacky idea. There are many problems where the money can be better used rather than further promoting Japanese consumerism. And why can foreigners get the money but not Japanese homeless people and women separated from their abusive husbands (along with other people with no fixed address)? Personally, I am using the money to get my cat spayed...