Japan Cabinet OKs $158 billion extra budget

TOKYO, Japan — Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s Cabinet on Friday approved a 12.1 trillion yen ($158 billion) extra budget to help fund the reconstruction of Japan’s tsunami-battered northeast.

The supplementary budget for the year through March approved Friday also earmarks about 2 trillion yen in measures aimed at easing pressure from the yen’s recent surge, which erodes exporters’ earnings.

“This (budget) will become a great source of energy or an engine for reconstruction,” Finance Minister Jun Azumi told reporters after the Cabinet approval, according to Kyodo News agency.

Currency levels have exacerbated Japan’s woes lately, with Noda openly worrying that it could lead to a hollowing out of Japanese industry. Major manufacturers including Panasonic Corp. and Nissan Motor Co. have already announced plans to shift some production overseas to protect themselves from foreign exchange risks.

The government hopes the new measures will prevent a broader exodus. It also is encouraging companies to embrace the advantages of a stronger yen by offering support to acquire companies and natural resources outside of Japan.

The package ranks second in size to the biggest-ever supplementary budget crafted in the wake of the Lehman Brothers collapse. It follows earlier extra budgets this year of 4 trillion yen and 2 trillion yen.

The government is planning to sell special reconstruction bonds to raise the bulk of the funds.

The budget bill is subject to approval in parliament.