Japan's government is considering doubling budget reserves to 1 trillion yen ($6.9 billion) for the new fiscal year starting April to cover the cost of earthquake reconstruction, the Asahi newspaper reported late on Tuesday citing several government sources.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's cabinet is expected to approve the plan as early as Jan. 16, the report said.
The cabinet earlier on Tuesday approved 4.74 billion yen in spending from fiscal 2023/24 reserves for such aid as water, food, diapers and heaters, Minister of Finance Shunichi Suzuki said.
($1 = 144.4200 yen)
