The government is studying whether to distribute merchandise coupons to foreigners living in Japan with permanent residency, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiromu Nonaka said Tuesday.
Earlier this month, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito agreed to issue coupons to stimulate sagging consumption. "Since the issuance of coupons was decided upon through negotiations between the LDP and New Komeito, it is natural that the parties will discuss whether foreign residents in Japan would be eligible to receive the coupons," Nonaka said. "We'd like to decide on the issue after the discussions between the ruling and opposition parties and after considering its consistency with other policies."
According to their plan, the coupons will be distributed to those on senior welfare pensions or special allowances for the disabled, those who are 65 years or older and exempt from municipal taxes, and families with children under 16.
Each recipient would receive 20,000 yen worth of coupons, but the two parties did not discuss whether foreign residents in Japan will be able to receive the coupons.
Last week, three Korean activist groups submitted a letter to the LDP and New Komeito asking whether Koreans living in Japan would be eligible for the coupons. The letter contends that ineligibility for the coupons would constitute a violation of their human rights because permanent foreign residents have the same tax burden as Japanese.