TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru said on Friday he had instructed a ruling Liberal Democratic Party executive to include cash handouts as part of its election campaign pledge to aid households coping with inflation.

The handout would be 20,000 yen ($139) per person and an additional 20,000 yen would be added on top of that per child or low-income earner, Ishiba said.

The handout plan could add to concerns over the government’s already tattered finances, as lawmakers seek to appease voters ahead of an upper house election slated for July.

Reuters