Japan to Offer Interest-Free Loans to Small Companies, Abe Says

(Bloomberg) -- Japan’s government will offer financial assistance to small businesses as part of a second round of emergency measures against the coronavirus, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.

Japan Finance Corp., wholly owned by the government, and other organizations will provide interest-free loans for small- and medium-size companies that are experiencing a sharp drop in revenue, he said on Saturday.

The government aims to finalize the second round of the emergency measures by March 10 that also include steps to prevent a spread of the virus, address issues arising from the closure of schools and a decrease in business activity, he said.

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