The government plans to cover costs for the aid with reserve funds under its fiscal 2020 budget and an unused portion of its coronavirus-related benefit program aimed at helping small businesses pay property rent, the sources said.
Payments are expected to start in March at the earliest as the government needs to make necessary preparations, such as choosing a company to conduct related clerical work and building a system for the program, according to the sources.
While the government is set to pay monthly benefits of up to ¥1.8 million each to restaurants and bars that comply with authorities’ requests for shorter operating hours, drawing up an aid program for businesses that supply them with food and other items has been an outstanding issue.