Japan’s Ishiba Orders Economic Package as Election Looms

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba instructed his cabinet on Friday to draw up a package of economic measures in a show of support to inflation-hit voters ahead of a general election.

The measures will aim to reduce the impact of high prices and support growth, and will include cash handouts for low-income households and regional economies. To help fund the package, top spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said the government will submit an additional budget to parliament after the Oct. 27 general election.