Japan's agriculture ministry has begun inviting businesses to take part in a government campaign to encourage people to dine out.

"Go To Eat" is part of a government campaign to boost spending. It focuses on helping eateries affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Agriculture minister Eto Taku told reporters after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday that the ministry began accepting applications from businesses that want to take part in the promotion. The campaign will offer customers restaurant coupons worth 25 percent more than their selling price.

It will also give customers points worth up to about nine dollars when they book restaurants online.

Eto said the "Go To Eat" campaign could start as early as late August in prefectures where restaurant coupons are ready. But he said customers may need to travel in order to redeem the points they receive from reservations, so he will discuss the date with members of the government subcommittee dealing with the coronavirus. He indicated that he will decide the starting date carefully based on the situation of infections.