Mar 16 (NHK) - Japan's government is considering cash payments to low-income, child-rearing households to help them make ends meet amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The government is working on a plan to provide the needy households with up to 50,000 yen, or about 460 dollars, in cash per child.
This came after Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide on Monday received a proposal from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito calling for support for low-income families with children.
The government already set up a similar cash payment program, but it targeted only single-parent households.
Officials said the latest plan will also cover two-parent households which saw their income fall.
The government is also considering boosting support for NPOs working to help socially isolated people.