Japan lawmakers weigh record stimulus amid pandemic

Ruling and opposition parties weigh cash for families and consumption tax break

20200319N Dotonbori crowd

Japanese lawmakers hope to persuade consumers to spend as the coronavirus outbreak throttles back demand. © Reuters

YUKI FUJITA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Representatives from Japan's government, ruling coalition and opposition parties met Thursday to discuss what would be a record-breaking stimulus to deal with the new coronavirus, though details remain up in the air.

Meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party and coalition partner Komeito, the country's five largest opposition parties called for helping low-income families, securing equipment and disinfectant for hospitals, and expanding testing.

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