Japan household assets total ¥2,230 trillion at end of December on rising stocks

I must say that those of us in NISA, Ideco and regular securities acccounts did extraoridinarily well, as we have been doing year after year. Those who chose to stay in cash and deposits, where most of the assets are, by contrast, lost out to inflation yet again. Oh well, that's their choice.

The proportion of Japanese government bonds held by the BOJ stood at 52.05 percent

Most of Japan's fiscal debt remains held by a public sector institution. Much of the rest is also in public funds, like the state pension fund. It's not much of a "debt," is it.

Only 40 million yen per household. Not a lot when considering the total asset value of a Japan household comprising 2.23 people on average.

Too bad Yen's lost +5x it's purchasing power of "Real" assets/diversified commodities indexes priced in US$ since 2020

Most of the cash is held by people in their 50s and older. These individuals were traumatized by the bursting of the real estate and stock markets. In the worst cases, valuations dropped by over 80%, and it took 30 years to recover. Given what they went through, it’s understandable that they avoid investing, even though this may be a significant mistake.

Most of the cash is held by people in their 50s and older. These individuals were traumatized by the bursting of the real estate and stock markets bubble. In the worst cases, valuations dropped by over 80%, and it took 30 years to recover. Given what they went through, it’s understandable that they will never invest again having been through this experience, even though it is a huge mistake in this inflationary environment.

As for people in their 20s, 30s and 40 s most of them have barely enough cash to cover their daily needs. How can you expect them to invest?

Well that’s totally awesome! But remember it’s not producing anything. Instead of sitting in the bank, not producing anything either ,it’s sitting in another bank not producing anything. ( yes we hear the investing thing) but in reality, the money in the nikkei 225 or Wall Street isn’t being spent on local businesses, in the loc area. No point t keeping your purchasing power (well there is to a point) if you’re not going to purchase anything. As they say, no point being the richest man in the graveyard. So, save a little and enjoy the rest. NoBody ever said on their death bed…… if only I invested a bit more. And I do have NISA and an IDECo but as someone once said, it’s nothing until you cash out and actually spend it otherwise It’s just on paper.

Why is this news?

Maybe, it should be to accentuate the majority of financially misfortunate individuals in Japan.

According to statista.com

“In the fiscal year 2023, around 12.3 percent of the Japanese population were stockholders. The share of people investing in stocks has been stagnant over the past years.”

The minority benefits, the majority don’t.

What's the percentage of households that has capital invested in stocks? That's an important figure that has been purposely omitted. I suspect it's the top minority, the same group that was wealthy already and can afford to invest.

The average Japanese is working hard just to make ends meet.

JeffLeeToday 06:44 am JST

I must say that those of us in NISA, Ideco and regular securities acccounts did extraoridinarily well

I second this.

The new NISA is very good (far fewer restrictions than the old one: it seems the government finally learned), but Ideco is even better: reduced income tax, on top of tax-free investing/returns.

Ideco is one of the best retirement saving plans I've seen anywhere in the world, and it's a real shame more people aren't aware of it.

To be precise, household financial assets, not household assets. Kyodo should write accurately. By the way, Switzerland has cut interest rates and interest rates are now lower than in Japan. Because of this rate cut and the Bank of Japan's expected rate hike, there is a projection that the yen carry trade will decrease, and the yen may not weaken that much in the future. I hope to see an increase in assets in dollar terms. In addition, Japan has the disadvantage of long life expectancy and major natural disasters and people tend to save too much, but if even 5% of these financial assets could spent annually, GDP and the economy would improve.

Only 40 million yen per household. Not a lot when considering the total asset value of a Japan household comprising 2.23 people on average.

Especially if it includes any equity in the house or apartment they are living in.

Almost all of my assets are real estate and the UK state pension. Any Brits out there have two weeks left before what is supposed to be a final deadline if they need to backpay any missing years of contributions. A full UK pension as an annuity from a private pension provider would cost over 40 million yen. If you are self employed and pay the lower contributions, its essentially free money with no need to pick winners in the stock market.

rising stock prices

Nikkei is down 8% since March 2024. It's worse if you consider inflation is at least 5%.

Any Brits out there have two weeks left before what is supposed to be a final deadline if they need to backpay any missing years of contributions.

Any UK nationals not paying their voluntary national insurance are missing the best investment chance there is. I have met so many who "can't be bothered" or "will get round to it". The full UK pension is ¥185,000 a month at the moment, goes up in April. Not too bad for £3.45 a week.

Those stocks are looking a little different in March than they did in December.

Those stocks are looking a little different in March than they did in December.

Which December?

The markets do not move in straight lines. They go up, they go down but over time they generally go up. The S&P averaged about 13.8% over the last 10 years. 11.8% over 20 years. Not too bad?

Next year’s headline will be the complete opposite - the Nikkei is now down 8 percent over a twelve-month period and almost 5 percent this year alone