Overriding shouts of protest from the opposition parties, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito bloc rammed the second extra budget for fiscal 2008 through the Lower House on Tuesday.
The extra budget includes Prime Minister Taro Aso's key ¥2 trillion cash handout program, even though according to a recent Kyodo News survey it is opposed by more than 70 percent of the public.
The opposition camp, led by the Democratic Party of Japan, has harshly criticized the planned payout, arguing the ¥2 trillion could be better spent on other programs to help the public.
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