business

Japan remains world's top creditor at end of 2019

16 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© KYODO

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

16 Comments
Login to comment

"Japan was the world's largest holder of overseas net assets for the 29th consecutive year, the ministry said." "Japan remains world's top creditor at end of 2019"

Nuff said.

Apparently Japan is broke, as per JT "expertise" (at large).

They wonder where Abe is getting all that pledged money from!

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

Japan remains at the end of 2019? Its 2020 now. Where does Japan stand in 2020?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

"Japan remains at the end of 2019? Its 2020 now. Where does Japan stand in 2020?"

Have you ever heard of something called Year End Accounts?

Clearly not.

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

It means sweet FA how much the government has or doesn’t have if the Japanese people are being taxed to death does it...

3 ( +3 / -0 )

They are just printing money

And it's very high quality money, a safe-haven currency for global investors. Ever wonder why that's the case?

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Really promising news. To make it clear for people with no economics background - essentially Japan is a lender. Japan - traditionally - does not like to borrow. There is no need to be concerned about any domestic debt - be it 300% or 1000% of GDP. Japan - having the ability to print her own money and issue Bonds - can repay her domestic debt whenever she chooses by printing more Yen.

And Japan is earning interest in the $Billions from overseas debtors like USA, which is keeping the economy ticking along nicely in a downturn.

The United States was the biggest net external debt holder with 1,199.38 trillion yen, according to the ministry.

The USA had want to get her house in order ASAP. Things look grim for the USA, sadly. If they start defaulting on loans, no other nation will lend them money, or even trade with them.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Same can be said of the US.

That's true. Same also with Canada, UK, Australia, Singapore, etc.

no other nation will lend them money, 

Yeah, right. US Treasuries are a global investors' favorite. The US has never had trouble issuing debt in modern times.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

And this is why Hedge Fund Managers and Investors from all over the world continue to look at Japan as a place for them to invest and make profits.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Same can be said of the US.

The USD is a global currency that everyone accepts and trades. No one can stand against the US military, or replace American economic/financial/technological dominance.

Japan isn't on the level of the US nor China. Comparing Japan with the US is absolutely retard.

Having a debt to GDP ratio of 300% is not bad if you have an asset to GDP ratio of 400%.

Wealth is good when you can liquidate it. I highly doubt that the assets inside Japan are liquid or even valuable. Most Japanese wealth are outside the country as Japan itself is unviable for growth.

Their foreign assets may be; however, here is the catch. Remember China, the American investors are scared shitless of the CCP. Many people don't know why. The Communist Party can unilaterally take away profits and assets of foreign companies at will. They can nationalize those companies in China if they desire. It already happened with a German auto firm who helped building Geely during the early days of opening up China. Not to mention, Japan's investments here are deeply entrenched in China. This is the very reason why Keidanren and Shinzo Abe don't dare to anger Xi Jinping. The Japanese business leaders fear massive repercussions if Xi Jinping nationalized the Japanese assets in China. Meanwhile, the US had the Fed and business-industrial complex are willing to forgo at least a trillion dollars in profit in China as a casualty of the new Cold War. Secretary Pompeo and Trump are going to remove special status of Hong Kong which will critically damage the pockets of Western billionaires and millionaires who got rich from China.

In case of the US, it is also the same. Japan massively invested into the US and have to obey the rules of the Land. Your assets can be seized or vulnerable to the external shocks of the native nation. The US won't seize your assets from Japan but you Japanese have to obey the rules of Americans. This includes no more Keiretsu, more acceptance of non-Japanese management and of course more foreign shareholding of Japanese assets outside Japan. I am quite grateful that Sony Entertainment is managed by American executives. The company would have ran into the ground if some Japanese oyajis use their Keiretsu here in the States.

Net Creditor is good and bad at the same time, especially if you are Japan.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

"This includes no more Keiretsu, more acceptance of non-Japanese management and of course more foreign shareholding of Japanese assets outside Japan. I am quite grateful that Sony Entertainment is managed by American executives. The company would have ran into the ground if some Japanese oyajis use their Keiretsu here in the States."

Net Creditor is good and bad at the same time, especially if you are Japan."

What a load of tosh.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Now, where are these money coming from ???. I have live in Japan for 32 years , this month. I do not see the life of good japanese getting better ???. Creditor indeed!!!!!!!feed us first, give us security in employement. Not pay us good foreigner partners peanuts and rob us to feed ,poor minded japanese workers.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Life is short.

Best creditor nation means nothing, nada if it doesn't lead to improvement of the standard if living of the populace, presently, the standard of living doesn't look like that of a rich country. It doesn't make sense wallowing with national pride when you are experiencing none of the benefits.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites