Japan to back incentives for green appliance buys-media

(For more stories on the Japanese economy click [ID:nECONJP])

TOKYO, April 8 (Reuters) - Japan's government has decided to fund an incentive programme aimed at encouraging consumers to buy energy-efficient electronics, the Nikkei business daily said on Wednesday.

Consumers earn points, equivalent to 5 percent of their purchases of eco-friendly washing machines, air conditioners, light bulbs and other electronics, from companies under a programme in place since October.

The government will now pay for the points, which consumers can then use to buy other products, the Nikkei said without citing sources.

The scheme will be included in an economic stimulus package to be unveiled on Wednesday, along with a programme to subsidise purchases of hybrid and other green vehicles. [ID:nSP168810] [ID:nT134046] [ID:nN07336672] [ID:nT192917]

The government is also considering offering additional points to buyers of digital enabled flat panel TVs, it said. The funds for TV promotion will be capped at about 200 billion yen, the Nikkei said. (Reporting by Mayumi Negishi; Editing by Chris Gallagher)