Japan PM contenders press for government support for education

FILE PHOTO: Candidate for the presidential election of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Sanae Takaichi, speaks during a debate organized by the Liberal Democratic Party, Youth Bureau, Women's Bureau at the party headquarters, in Tokyo, Japan, September 20, 2021. Philip Fong/Pool via REUTERS

TOKYO (Reuters) - Contenders to become Japan's next prime minister called on Sunday for more support for education, with one, Sanae Takaichi, saying she wanted to extend existing financial support for families to include children in high school.

Takaichi, a former internal affairs minister, is one of four politicians vying to become the next head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Frontrunner Taro Kono, the vaccine minister, said he wanted greater financial support for graduate students, to cover their cost of living expenses, so that Japan can boost its research capabilities.

(Reporting by David Dolan; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)