Political wrangling in the Diet over the controversial second supplementary budget for fiscal 2008 ended Tuesday when the ruling bloc's legislation effectively prevailed by default.
The ¥4.79 trillion extra budget includes Prime Minister Taro Aso's contentious ¥2 trillion cash handout program. Although the government-submitted extra budget was rejected Monday morning by the opposition-controlled Upper House, the Constitution gives final say to the Lower House on budget decisions when the two chambers are at loggerheads.
The Aso government's next hurdle is to get bills related to the extra budget approved. Unless they are passed, the government can't begin the cash handout, which will include registered foreign residents.
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