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Japan to give children under 19 $880 cash handout

Cash Handouts - Level 4

Japanese children may soon have a lot of money. Japan will give ¥100,000 ($880) to children under the age of 19. Around 20 million children will get the payment. Japan's Prime Minister said the money is part of a covid-19 stimulus package. He wants to help part-time workers and poorer families. The money will be given regardless of a family's financial status and number of children. It will cost around ¥2 trillion ($17.6 billion).

The plan has its critics. Many people are questioning it when Japan has so much debt - currently more than twice the size of its economy. The cash is available because of a surplus of funds from fiscal 2020. The critics say most children will not buy high-cost items, eat in upmarket restaurants or go on holiday. Most of the money will be put in savings accounts. One mother welcomed the plan because her children will buy new computers.

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Cash Handouts - Level 5

Japanese children may soon be smiling and have money in their pockets. Japan is planning to give ¥100,000 ($880) to all children under the age of 19 as part of a covid stimulus plan. Around 20 million children, from babies to 18-year-olds, will get the payment. This initiative is part of an election pledge from Japan's Prime Minister. He vowed to help "people in need," such as part-time workers and poorer families. The money will be given regardless of the financial status of a child's family and how many children are in a family. The plan will cost around ¥2 trillion ($17.6 billion).

The stimulus package has its critics. Many people have reservations about it when Japan has so much debt. Its debt is currently more than twice the size of its economy. Sources say the cash is available for the stimulus because of a surplus of funds from fiscal 2020. Skeptics are questioning the plan. They say most children will not be buying high-cost items, dining in upmarket restaurants or going on holidays. Most of the money will end up in savings accounts. One mother of three welcomed the plan. She said her children would benefit because they will buy new computers.

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Cash Handouts - Level 6

Japanese children may soon have smiles on their faces and money in their pockets. As part of a covid-19-related stimulus package, Japan's government is planning to give ¥100,000 ($880) to all children under the age of 19. Around 20 million children, from newborns to 18-year-olds, will receive the one-time payment. The initiative is part of an election pledge from Japan's newly-elected Prime Minister. During campaigning, he vowed to help "people in need," such as part-time workers and families with small children. Officials say the money will be given regardless of the financial status of a child's family. All children in any one family will receive the cash. The plan is expected to cost around ¥2 trillion ($17.6 billion).

The stimulus package is not without its critics. Many people have reservations about splurging so much money when Japan is burdened with so much debt. The country's debt is currently more than twice the size of its economy. Government sources argue the cash is available for the pandemic stimulus because of a surplus of funds from fiscal 2020. Skeptics are questioning the plan's logic. They said most recipients would not be going out to purchase high-cost items, dine in upmarket restaurants or take domestic holidays. It is predicted that much of the money will end up in savings accounts. However, mother of three Yuki Ono welcomed the plan. She said her children would benefit because they will buy new computers.

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