Photo/Illutration People wearing a face mask to help stop the spread of the new coronavirus walk on a street in Tokyo on April 23. (AP Photo)

The government’s program to dole out 100,000 yen ($930) in cash per head to all residents in Japan is in disarray apparently because the purpose is not clearly defined.

The cash handout program is part of the government’s emergency economic relief package to help people and businesses deal with the ravages caused by the new coronavirus outbreak.

A growing number of people in the central and local governments and in the business community are calling on other members of their organizations to refrain from receiving or donating the money.

Officials of the central government in the three top politically appointed posts--ministers, senior vice ministers and parliamentary secretaries--have agreed not to receive the cash. 

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party has decided that all its Diet members will not take the money. Komeito, the LDP’s junior coalition partner, has decided to leave the decision to each of its lawmakers. Major opposition parties are expected to decide to donate the money.

Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki initially called on prefectural government employees to contribute the money to finance a rescue package for cash-strapped smaller local companies.

Under the plan, the firms would receive up to 500,000 yen each if they reduce business hours to help stem the spread of the virus. But he has effectively withdrawn the proposal after it provoked a storm of public criticism.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s administration decided on the cash payments as it extended the state of emergency to all 47 prefectures.

In explaining his sudden turnaround regarding cash payments to those affected by the outbreak, Abe said, “I have decided that cash handouts to all people would be the right approach as all of us are fighting together to overcome this situation.”

Even people whose income has not taken a hit from the pandemic are still facing restrictions as they are asked to stay at home as much as possible. If we believe in Abe’s commitment to promoting united efforts by all people to overcome the crisis, we should say his decision to pay cash to everyone is not totally ill-advised.

But the original plan was to distribute 300,000 yen to needy households whose incomes have plunged due to pay cuts, business closures, layoffs or other reasons related to the virus. This outlay was included in the government-drafted supplementary budget.

After the proposal was criticized by Komeito and other members of the ruling camp for its “narrow range of beneficiaries,” the administration suddenly decided to change the plan.

This program still seems to be haunted by a lack of solid consensus. Even after the decision was made, Finance Minister Taro Aso said, for example, some wealthy people would “probably not receive (the money) under such an emergency situation.”

If the administration thinks well-to-do people should not accept the cash, it should work out a system to take it back from them, such as making it taxable. It is misguided for the government to expect such people to restrain themselves from taking the money or donating it.

What is the principal purpose of this program to hand out 100,000 yen to everyone? Why has this approach been adopted to achieve the goal? The government needs to offer convincing answers to these questions.

Comedian Atsushi Tamura recently posted a tweet saying he will receive and donate the money.

Explaining the reason for making this announcement, Tamura said, “I would usually donate without talking about it. But there are many people who say they are feeling uncomfortable about accepting the relief money.”

People should not be made to feel uncomfortable about deciding what to do with the money, whether to take it, not to take it or donate it.

Instead of making some people feel obliged to make certain decisions, the government should create a system that enables everybody to make any decision about the matter without feeling any guilt or pressure.

--The Asahi Shimbun, April 24

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