Japan's unemployment rate has risen to a three-year high as companies continue to slash jobs.

Stupid, wasteful and ineffective — and a shameless attempt to woo voters, many Japanese say. Prime Minister Taro Aso is touting a one-time cash handout of 12,000 yen, or about $120 per person, as the centerpiece of a stimulus package to revive the world's second-largest economy, mired in one of its worst slumps since World War II. Elsewhere in Asia, Taiwan has given out about $100 per person in spending vouchers.

Japan's economy contracted by 3.3% in the last quarter of last year - its worst showing since the oil crisis of the 1970s, official figures show.

Asian stocks fell for the first time in four days, led by banks and technology companies, as a record slump in Japanese factory production and lower profit forecasts renewed concern the global slowdown is deepening.

The ministry said Japan aims to have solar power systems installed on more than 70 percent of new homes. The new efforts will also include solar power education in schools, the development of refined deep cycle battery technologies and the installation of grid connections.

Japan's industrial output took the largest drop in history in November over October, tumbling 8.1% -- nearly double the previous high of 4.3% in January 2001, according to a report from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The huge disparity highlights how Japan's export-driven economy is faring against the decline of worldwide consumer demand.