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Go To Eat coupon program may be extended

Dec 03 (NHK) - Japan's government is considering extending its Go To Eat campaign, designed to help the restaurant industry amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The campaign consists of two programs -- issuing meal coupons worth 25 percent more than their sales price and giving points to people who book restaurants online.

Coupon sales had started in Tokyo and all prefectures by Tuesday. But new sales have been suspended in Tokyo and nine prefectures including Osaka in response to a resurge in infections.

The current sale is to finish by the end of January, and the coupons expire by the end of March. The government plans to extend the program beyond March, citing the need to continue efforts to increase demand for the restaurant industry.

The government is also considering issuing more coupons than originally planned.

The booking period for the point program has already ended, and the government is unlikely to refund it.

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