Japan Loses Top Creditor Status After 34 Years
Japan lost its position as the world's largest creditor nation for the first time in 34 years, despite reaching a record high in overseas assets, overtaken by Germany due to its substantial current account surplus. Japan's net external assets rose to ¥533.05 trillion ($3.7 trillion) in 2024, but Germany's assets totaled ¥569.7 trillion, reflecting shifts in trade balances and investment patterns. Japanese companies continue to invest abroad, especially in the US and UK, with future trends depending on their ongoing overseas expansion amid global trade policies.