Japan's Yosano: package won't mar balanced budget

TOKYO, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Japanese Economics Minister Kaoru Yosano said on Friday he expects the government to achieve its goal of a balanced budget while implementing an economic package to help people and firms cope with high energy and food prices.

"We will compile an extra budget with what we have without issuing deficit-covering bonds," Yosano told a news conference after the government announced a package worth about 11.7 trillion yen ($107 billion).

"Fiscal discipline has been maintained," Yosano said. He also said that bold steps were considered needed to protect jobs.

The government said the figure included 9.1 trillion yen to help businesses and individuals cope with high prices and to promote economic growth through steps such as government guarantees on loans to small firms. (Reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto)