UPDATE 1-Japan's Kamei says no change to moneylender law

(For more stories on the Japanese economy click [ID:nECONJP])

* Kamei: not mulling interest rate change for moneylenders

* Kamei: not considering delay to implementing law

* Aiful, Takefuji shares retreat, Promise,Acom continue rally

TOKYO, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Japan's banking minister said he is not considering looser regulation of consumer lenders, after news the government may ease its rules sent industry shares sharply higher.

Shares of Aiful Corp (8515.T), Takefuji (8564.T) and Acom (8572.T) surged on Monday, on news the government could reconsider the maximum amount of unsecured debt borrowers are allowed to hold. [ID:nT79045]

But Financial Services Minister Shizuka Kamei said on Wednesday he was not considering such a change. Japanese markets were closed on Tuesday for a national holiday.

"There will be no fundamental change to the law," Kamei said.

"I have no intention of tampering with the interest rate or loan cap."

According to the latest version of Japan's moneylending law, which goes into full effect in June, the amount of unsecured debt an individual can hold is capped at one-third of annual income.

Japan's once-sprawling moneylending industry has been gutted by regulatory changes, which have also lowered maximum interest rates. The biggest hit, however, has come from the courts, which have forced consumer lenders to return past interest charges that are now deemed illegally high.

Kamei also rebuffed comments from his deputy, Kouhei Otsuka, who said on Tuesday the government may consider delaying full implementation of the new moneylending law.

"It would be a different story if there were a big change to the economy," Kamei said when as asked about the delay, indicating that he was not considering such a move.

The harsh outlook has forced many of the firms deep into the red, and pushed some -- such as Acom and Promise (8574.T) -- to tie up with major banks for access to funding.

Aiful and Takefuji, which remain independent, have had their long-term debt ratings cut to junk status.

Aiful said in September it would ask creditors to let it push back repayments on $3 billion in debt.