“Net external assets”, which is the amount of assets that Japan has overseas minus the amount of liabilities, exceeded 400 trillion yen for the first time at the end of last year, reaching a record high.
It is the number one in the world for 31 consecutive years, mainly due to the swelling of assets when converted to yen due to the depreciation of the yen.
Net external assets are from the amount of "foreign assets" that indicate the financial assets of Japanese governments, companies, and individuals overseas, and the amount of "external liabilities" that indicate the financial assets of overseas governments, companies, and individuals in Japan. It is the amount after deducting the amount.
According to the Ministry of Finance's announcement, Japan's net external assets were 411.184 trillion yen at the end of last year, the highest since 1996 when it exceeded 400 trillion yen for the first time.
It increased by 15.8% from the previous year, or more than 56 trillion yen, and the amount of increase was the highest ever.
The main reason for this is that the yen depreciated in the foreign exchange market and the amount of foreign stocks and bonds converted into yen increased.
Japan's net foreign assets have been the highest in the world for 31 consecutive years, far exceeding the 315 trillion yen of Germany, which ranks second.
In other countries / regions, ▽ 3rd place was Hong Kong with more than 242 trillion yen, ▽ 4th place was China with more than 226 trillion yen, and ▽ 5th place was Canada with more than 152 trillion yen.
On the other hand, the United States has more than 2067 trillion yen in external debt than external assets, making it the world's largest net debtor.