Japan Approves Largest Post-Pandemic Spending Plan Amid Economic Concerns

According to BlockBeats, Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet has approved the largest additional spending plan since the pandemic, aiming to alleviate voter dissatisfaction. This decision may unsettle investors closely monitoring Japan's fiscal health, as the yen has fallen to a 10-month low and long-term government bond yields have surged to record highs. On Friday, Japan's Cabinet Office announced that the stimulus package includes 17.7 trillion yen (approximately 112 billion USD) in general account spending. This expenditure is likely to be provided through a supplementary budget, marking a 27% increase compared to the plan introduced by the previous administration a year ago. The overall package amounts to 21.3 trillion yen, with measures ranging from price relief to investment support in key sectors. The substantial scale of price relief funds highlights Takaichi's determination to tackle ongoing inflation, which has heightened voter dissatisfaction and contributed to the downfall of her predecessor. Data released on Friday shows that Japan's key price index has remained at or above the central bank's 2% target for 43 consecutive months, setting the longest record since 1992. The Japanese cabinet plans to approve the supplementary budget for this package by November 28, aiming for parliamentary approval by the end of the year.