FOCUS: Abe's signature virus-relief cash program faces barrage of criticism

Japan's blanket cash handouts to help individuals weather the economic fallout of the coronavirus outbreak have drawn a barrage of criticism from the public, with the ruling party accused of sending mixed messages and some of those in urgent need of the money expressing frustration at the application process.The government launched the 100,000 yen ($940) universal handout scheme after an earlier proposal by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party targeting those most in need was dropped following criticism that it excluded too many. But the nearly 13 trillion yen relief package…READ FULL ARTICLE