TOKYO - Japan's government debt swelled to a record-breaking US$4,3 trillion at the end of March, pressured by the ballooning issue of bonds, the finance ministry said Monday.

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"However, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi would compile a supplementary budget if the economy plunges into a crisis," he said.

The Namibian

-- spider (spider0@usa.net), June 27, 2001