The supplementary budget proposal has been approved in the Budget Committee of the House of Councillors, Japan's upper legislative chamber. This protectionist economic policy is aimed at revitalising the national economy amidst the prolonged COVID-19 crisis. The budget includes crucial fiscal spending to bolster small businesses and households hit hardest by the pandemic.
This kind of news garners keen interest in Japan because it directly impacts citizens' lives, the economy, and national policies. Japanese citizens value democratic processes and the allocation of state funds to bolster the economy, especially in times of crisis, reflects shared values of responsibility and social cohesion.
In comparison, approving budget proposals in the US is often a rigorous bipartisan process, shaping the scope of social and fiscal policies. EU nations also have their own approval process, but stability funds meant to recuperate economies during crises have been a contested issue among member states.