The Japanese government's outstanding debt hit a record 607.3 trillion yen ($4.98 trillion) in the fiscal year to March, the finance ministry said today.
The total, including bonds, borrowing and financing bills, was 12.8 per cent higher than a year earlier following the issue of bonds worth 43.8 trillion yen to finance treasury investment and loans, a ministry official said.
The government started issuing such bonds in April last year after it stopped using postal savings for investments in public works projects and loans to public financial institutions.
Total outstanding government bonds rose 17.7 per cent to 448.2 trillion yen while government borrowing levelled off at 109.5 trillion yen.
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AFP