Japan PM contender Koizumi wants BOJ, government to move in lock step on policy

TOKYO, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Shinjiro Koizumi, seen as a frontrunner to be Japan's next prime minister, said on Saturday the government and central bank must move in lock step in achieving price stability and economic growth.

Since then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe launched his "Abenomics" stimulus policies in 2013, the government and the Bank of Japan worked together in achieving stable prices and solid growth, Koizumi, a candidate to head the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, told a news conference.

"I see the fact they worked in lock step as important and want to respect that," he said.

Asked about his views on monetary policy, Koizumi said, "If I were to become prime minister, I hope (the Bank of Japan) would understand the direction of the government's economic policy."