They warn that the resources spent so far have failed to ignite growth, and question what politicians there expect will be different this time. The money is supposed to be channeled to public works, the environment, education, energy, below-market interest rate loans and government purchases in the Japanese stock market. Retail sales have declined 2.6 percent and corporate profits are off by 9 percent. And after falling from 40,000 points to 16,000 points in the early 1990s, the Japanese stock market hasn't moved in five years.
Critics say it is small wonder, if one looks at the tax burden in Japan.
Meanwhile, a wave of official resignations, firings and even suicides has engulfed the Bank of Japan, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.