The Japanese government will announce around 12 trillion yen ($136 billion) in fiscal stimulus measures to boost the nation’s shrinking economy, Japanese media reported today. The extra budget for this fiscal year through March will include 5-6 trillion yen for public works spending, the Yomiuri newspaper reported, without citing where it got the information. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told business leaders today that he hopes to compile the stimulus measures this week. The spending may help to accelerate a recovery from recession as Abe pledges to boost growth and end deflation in the world’s third-largest economy. ... (full story)