Japan PM contender Takaichi calls for debt issuance to fund spending if needed

TOKYO, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Japan's Sanae Takaichi, a contender to be the next prime minister, said on Tuesday the government should issue additional government bonds if necessary to fund measures to cushion a blow from rising living costs.

"We should use extra tax revenues to fund measures to combat rising cost of living," Takaichi told a press conference. "But if it's really necessary, we will have to issue government bonds."