The Japanese government has approved a massive economic stimulus package worth 300 billion dollars. The cabinet of centre-left Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama approved the stimulus package, despite being elected on a platform of slashing government spending. The stimulus measures include loan guarantees for small and medium-size businesses and spending to help companies retain workers. It is designed to help the world's second largest economy emerge from its worst recession in decades. While Japan's economy is growing again, it is still suffering from deflation and a strong yen which has hit exports.