The government's issuance of bonds in fiscal 2003 is thought to have been 1.1 trillion yen less than the amount forecast, with the economic recovery having boosted tax revenue, the Finance Ministry said Thursday.
It would be the first time in 14 years for the size of fresh bond issuance to be smaller than the initial state budget forecast, ministry officials said.
The government is set to post 35.35 trillion yen in fresh bond issuance for the year that ended March 31, down from the 36.45 trillion yen estimated in the initial budget for the year.