Prime Minister Taro Aso smiles after a secondary supplementary budget for fiscal 2008 passes the Lower House on Jan. 13. KYODO PHOTO

Overriding shouts of protest from the opposition parties, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito bloc rammed the second extra budget for fiscal 2008 through the Lower House on Jan. 13.

The extra budget includes Prime Minister Taro Aso's key ¥2 trillion cash handout program, even though according to a recent Kyodo News survey it is opposed by more than 70 percent of the public.

The opposition camp, led by the Democratic Party of Japan, has harshly criticized the planned payout, arguing the ¥2 trillion could be better spent on other programs to help the public.

Though three opposition parties, including the DPJ, boycotted the vote, the extra budget and bills are now on their way to the opposition-controlled Upper House.

Aso's cash payout has also drawn fire from within the LDP. Kenta Matsunami, the parliamentary secretary to the Cabinet, left the plenary session before the vote to express his opposition.

In the evening of Jan. 13, Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura accepted the resignation of former Administrative Reform Minister Yoshimi Watanabe. Unlike Watanabe, Matsunami told reporters he has no intention of leaving the LDP.

The government and the ruling bloc, however, are determined to get the extra budget enacted in a hurry.

"Considering the current economic situation and the local governments that are waiting for the swift enactment of the budget, we have a duty to respond to such needs," Kawamura said.

Because the Lower House is controlled by the ruling bloc, the extra budget was able to pass the chamber, which convened Jan. 5, after only three days of deliberations.