Job Discussion Forums

Mahik · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 89

Foreigners may get Stimulus Pay

I doubt it does from the wording of the article. But just in case, I need to know how to apply. Razz

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Too early to tell. But if a foreigner on a student visa qualifies, as the article says, a worker should. Wait and see. It wasn't more than a month or 2 ago that Aso didn't even realize the original bill failed to include permanent residents!

natsume · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 409 Location: Chongqing, China

I know JETs are getting it in many prefectures, probably all. It wasn't something we "applied" for. For me, it will be administered by the same office that issued my gaikokujin card.

(I'm not knocking it, I can use it this winter, but it is only 12,000 yen.)

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

From what I have heard on the news, all foreigners working legally in Japan, or on spouse visas etc. if they aren't working, will get it- that includes us. Foreign tourists and possibly those on student visas won't.

stevenbhow · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 58

Here is some info about it from my friend's blog.

http://tokaitaro.wordpress.com/

cornishmuppet · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 642 Location: Nagano, Japan

My vice principal said I would get it, though I won't get excited until I see it in the bank. Can't quite see the point - while I have nothing against getting free money its hardly a life changing amount and seems like a little 'vote for me' stimulus rather than anything else, proving just how much he loves all those gaijins at the same time.

Should just about cover my next gas bill, though!

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

"from what I heard"
"my friend's blog says this"

People. There has been no clear announcement of who will get this money yet. PR holders, ok. Zainichi, ok. Spouse visa holders, yup. Beyond that, nothing.

That leaves out students, refugees, trainees, cultural visa holders, dependent visa holders, etc.

Wait.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Glenski, when I said "from what I heard", I should have clarified. I heard it in December on the NHK news, which I consider a reliable source of information. I didn't mean I heard it from the guy sitting next to me at the bar in Roppongi last Friday Laughing

Also this from the Japan Times online:

The government said Saturday that it has decided to make 2 million locally registered foreigners eligible for cash benefits it plans to hand out next year as part of its push to spur private consumption.

Foreigners listed on the foreign resident registry as of Feb. 1, 2009, will be considered eligible to participate in the �2 trillion program, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry said.

This means all those working in Japan legally, and also those studying at Japanese schools apparently so I was wrong about that point.

So it's not a matter of "if" anymore, just "when".

elkarlo · Joined: 08 Dec 2008 Posts: 240 Location: Maryland

Mkes sense. A lot of use Gaijin will blow it that weekend. So it will go straigh intot he economy. While a lot of J-folk will prolly put it into savings.