TOKYO (Reuters) -Former Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, a prime ministerial hopeful running in the ruling party's leadership race, on Wednesday endorsed the Bank of Japan's policy of gradually normalising monetary policy.
"I believe the basic policy direction is to normalise the ultra-easy monetary policy gradually," Motegi told reporters, saying that Japan's economy is nearing an exit to deflation.
"But it's up the BOJ to decide on specific monetary policies," he added.
The Liberal Democratic
Party is holding a leadership vote on October 4 to replace outgoing premier Shigeru Ishiba.
The winner of the election is likely to become Japan's next prime minister, though formal parliamentary approval is required. The LDP and its coalition partner Komeito no longer hold a majority in either house of parliament.
Among measures to revitalise the economy, Motegi said he would take steps to encourage companies to shift from holding cash to corporate investment and would also set up a fund for local governments.
He also said the LDP will seek to expand the coalition by partnering with "a party that can agree on issues such as diplomacy, national security, energy and the constitution."
He cited the Democratic Party for the People and Japan Innovation Party as potential partners.
(Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki; Editing by Tom Hogue and Edwina Gibbs)
