Japan PM: Need to keep bond issuance below Y44 trln

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TOKYO Nov 2 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said on Monday the government needs to keep new bond issuance below 44 trillion yen ($491 billion) in the year to March 2011.

"The state of the economy is severe. On the other hand, we need to strive to curb bond issuance as much as possible," Hatoyama told a lower house budget committee meeting. (Reporting by Leika Kihara)