Eateries fraudulently received over Y500 million in pandemic subsidies

yomiuri.co.jp -- Dec 10

Fraudulent claims for coronavirus pandemic-related subsidies worth more than Y500 million had been identified as of September, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.

Eateries that closed or shortened their business hours to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in areas subject to emergency or quasi-emergency restrictions were eligible to receive the support.

Since April 2021, businesses have been able to receive up to Y200,000 per day, depending on sales. To receive the subsidy, eateries were required to implement infection-prevention measures, such as improving ventilation and installing partitions. Eateries that fraudulently claimed they had implemented measures were also found to have received subsidies. ...continue reading