Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso on Friday unveiled a new 23 trillion yen (US$256 billion) package to stimulate economy amid global recession, bringing the government's total stimulus package to more than US$550 billion.

Aso said the new package involves 10 trillion yen of fiscal measures, including 1 trillion yen to offer housing and other support for daily lives of temporary workers who have lost accommodation and others provided by their previous employers.

The government will also add 1 trillion yen to the local allocation tax to let local governments create new job opportunities.

The other 13 trillion yen will be used in financial support, such as loan guarantees to small and midsize companies.

The spending will be appropriated in the second supplementary budget for fiscal 2008 and the initial budget for fiscal 2009.

Japan's economy has officially entered recession with negative growth reported for two consecutive quarters.

On Saturday Aso will meet with government leaders of China and South Korea to discuss regional cooperation on coping with the financial crisis.

(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2008)