Economic minister Heizo Takenaka said Sunday the government may sell credits extended by government-affiliated financial institutions to the private sector as a form of economic stimulus.

Speaking on a TV Asahi program, Takenaka said the government will not depend on public works projects, via an additional issue of government bonds, in case the economy further deteriorates from September on.

"It would be possible to sell credits financed by government-affiliated financial institutions to the private sector," Takenaka confirmed.

"The government then will derive revenue without issuing bonds or raising taxes, and it will use that money to revitalize the economy," he said.