Apr 21, 2020 (NHK) - The Japanese government has outlined details of its plan to hand out 100,000 yen, or more than 900 dollars, in cash to all residents as part of its economic response to the coronavirus outbreak.
The cash handouts will go to every person listed on Japan's Basic Resident Register, regardless of nationality.
Internal Affairs Minister Takaichi Sanae outlined the program at a news conference on Monday.
Takaichi said the handouts will be distributed quickly. Applications and payments will be made without human contact to prevent infections and minimize clerical work at municipal offices.
Every person on Japan's Basic Resident Register as of April 27 is eligible. This means the program covers Japanese residents, as well as foreigners who are registered as residents and carry a visa of more than three months.
Municipalities will send application forms to the heads of every household. Applicants will have to provide a bank account number, with copies of their ID and bank account information. The sum will then be transferred to the account.
People can also use an individual identification system, known as the "My Number Card", to apply online.
Each municipality can decide when to start accepting applications. Those will be accepted over a period of 3 months.
Municipalities also decide when to start paying the handouts. The internal ministry says some of them may begin as early as next month.
People who wish to decline the cash benefit need to indicate it on the application form. The Internal Affairs Minister says she has no intention to apply for it herself.
