As of December 2024, Japan held United States treasury securities totaling about 1.06 trillion U.S. dollars. Foreign holders of United States treasury debt According to the Federal Reserve and U.S. Department of the Treasury, foreign countries held a total of 8.5 trillion U.S. dollars in U.S. treasury securities as of December 2024. Of the total held by foreign countries, Japan and Mainland China held the greatest portions, with China holding 759 billion U.S. dollars in U.S. securities. The U.S. public debt In 2023, the United States had a total public national debt of 33.2 trillion U.S. dollars, an amount that has been rising steadily, particularly since 2008. In 2023, the total interest expense on debt held by the public of the United States reached 678 billion U.S. dollars, while 197 billion U.S. dollars in interest expense were intra governmental debt holdings. Total outlays of the U.S. government were 6.1 trillion U.S. dollars in 2023. By 2029, spending is projected to reach 8.3 trillion U.S. dollars.

The statistic shows the national debt of Japan from 2020 to 2023, with projections up until 2030. The amount of Japan's national debt in 2023 amounted to about 9.91 trillion U.S. dollar. In a ranking of debt to GDP per country, Japan is thus currently ranked first. Japan's economic power With one of the largest gross domestic products (GDP), Japan is among the largest economies in the world. However, ever since the global financial crisis, Japan's GDP - like many others - has been slightly unstable; Japan even reported a negative GDP growth in comparison to the previous year in 2011 and in 2014. Still, it is estimated that gross domestic product in Japan will continue to thrive over the next decade. One indicator is Japan's inflation rate: Despite the aforementioned economic slumps, Japan has managed to maintain one of the lowest inflation rates in the world, and it also reduced its unemployment rate. Between 2010 and 2013, the unemployment rate in Japan decreased by approximately one percent, and it is expected to drop even lower over the next years. Recently, Japan has been reporting a trade deficit, meaning the value of its imports exceeds the value of its exports. Most of these imports have come from China and the United States. The trade deficit is one of the causes for in an increase of the national debt. It is estimated that the national debt in relation to the GDP will increase further until 2020.

Key information about Japan Government Debt: % of GDP

• Japan Government debt accounted for 216.2 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Dec 2024, compared with the ratio of 217.2 % in the previous quarter.
• Japan government debt to GDP ratio data is updated quarterly, available from Dec 1994 to Dec 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 225.8 % in Mar 2021 and a record low of 55.9 % in Dec 1994.

CEIC calculates quarterly Government Debt as % of Nominal GDP from monthly Government Debt and rolling sum of quarterly Nominal GDP. The Bank of Japan provides Government Debt in local currency. The Economic and Social Research Institute provides Nominal GDP in local currency. Government Debt covers Central Government only.


Related information about Japan Government Debt: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, Japan National Government Debt reached 9,396.6 USD bn in Apr 2023.
• The country's Nominal GDP reached 1,080.1 USD bn in Mar 2023.

Graph and download economic data for Central government debt, total (% of GDP) for Japan (DEBTTLJPA188A) from 1990 to 2022 about Japan, debt, government, and GDP.

The statistic shows Japan's national debt from 2020 to 2023 in relation to gross domestic product (GDP), with projections up until 2030. In 2023, the national debt of Japan amounted to about 239.97 percent of the gross domestic product. An eye on Japan’s national debt Japan’s national debt ranks first among countries with the highest debt levels in the world, far surpassing the debt levels of Greece - which ranks number two - whose financial crisis has been in the spotlight recently. Italy is third, followed by Jamaica, Lebanon and Enritrea. Currently, Japan’s national debt amounts more than a thousand trillion yen and the country’s debt is predicted to keep rising for the foreseeable future, albeit only slightly. Japan’s national debt is not without consequence for the global economy, because the country claims the fourth-largest share in global gross domestic product. Therefore, the effects on the global economy would and could have a much greater global impact than that of a country such as Greece - considering its share of the global economy adjusted for purchase power parity was less than 0.29 percent in 2011. The debt levels of China, the United States and India should also be watched closely as they together make up the largest share of global GDP. At the moment, Japan’s inflation rate is among the lowest in the world, but as Japan attempts to reduce its national debt, this could change.

This data package includes the underlying data and files to replicate the calculations, charts, and tables presented in Sustainability of Public Debt in the United States and Japan, PIIE Working Paper 14-9. If you use the data, please cite as: Cline, William R. (2014). Sustainability of Public Debt in the United States and Japan. PIIE Working Paper 14-9. Peterson Institute for International Economics.

The statistic shows the gross national debt of the United States from 2019 to 2024 in relation to the gross domestic product (GDP), with projections up until 2030. In 2024, the national debt of the United States was at around 120.79 percent of the gross domestic product. See the US GDP for further information. US finances There has been a dramatic increase in the public debt of the United States since 1990, although the month-to-month change has been quite stable over the last few months. Public debt is defined as the amount of money borrowed by a country to cover budget deficits. A ranking of individual state debt in the United States shows that California is leading by a clear margin, with more than double the amount of runner-up New York. Vermont, North Dakota and South Dakota are the states with the lowest amount of debt. Even before the recession of 2008, the national debt of the United States had been increasing steadily and excessively, and it is predicted to rise even further. Budget cuts and fewer job opportunities as a result of the crisis are taking their toll on the American economy, which is still recovering. Trade figures as well as unemployment are still below average. Subsequently, the national debt and the national debt of the United States per capita have more or less quadrupled since the 1990s. Interestingly, the United States is not even among the top ten of countries with the highest public debt in relation to gross domestic product in international comparison. Japan, Greece and Italy – among others – report far higher figures than the United States.

United States USF: Short Term: Debt: Japan data was reported at 57.715 USD bn in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 61.942 USD bn for 2016. United States USF: Short Term: Debt: Japan data is updated yearly, averaging 68.751 USD bn from Jun 2002 (Median) to 2017, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 122.900 USD bn in 2003 and a record low of 57.715 USD bn in 2017. United States USF: Short Term: Debt: Japan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Department of Treasury. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.Z047: Foreign Residents' Portfolio Holdings of U.S. Securities.

The value of U.S. Treasury securities held by residents of Russia amounted to ** million U.S. dollars in March 2025, marking a stark contrast to ***** billion U.S. dollars held in January 2020. The lowest over the period under consideration was recorded in November 2023 at ** million U.S. dollars. Furthermore, in March 2020, the figure plummeted to **** billion U.S. dollars, down from **** billion U.S. dollars one month prior. Russia’s holdings of U.S. treasury securities have decreased since 2014 following the Western sanctions over the annexation of Crimea and have further dropped in 2022 after more restrictions were imposed over the war in Ukraine. What are U.S. treasury holdings? U.S. treasury holdings are government debt instruments that contribute to the funding of various government projects in the country. The U.S. Department of Treasury allows individuals and organizations to invest in treasury notes, bills, and bonds, which are the main three types of securities. Just under half of the outstanding ** trillion U.S. dollars as of May 2024 were in the form of treasury notes. The notes have varying maturities and coupon payment frequencies, which are different from the maturity periods of treasury bills and bonds. Main foreign holders of U.S. treasury securities Foreign holdings of U.S. treasury debt amounted to ***** trillion U.S. dollars as of January 2024. Japan and China held the largest portions, with China possessing ***** billion U.S. dollars in U.S. securities. Additionally, other significant foreign holders included oil exporting countries and Caribbean banking centers.

United States Treasury Securities: Foreign Holder: Japan data was reported at 1,028.000 USD bn in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,029.900 USD bn for Aug 2018. United States Treasury Securities: Foreign Holder: Japan data is updated monthly, averaging 708.200 USD bn from Mar 2000 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 223 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,241.500 USD bn in Nov 2014 and a record low of 292.900 USD bn in Sep 2001. United States Treasury Securities: Foreign Holder: Japan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Department of Treasury. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.Z050: Major Foreign Holders of US Treasury Securities.

United States FSU: Debt: Short Term: Japan data was reported at 107.079 USD bn in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 67.075 USD bn for 2016. United States FSU: Debt: Short Term: Japan data is updated yearly, averaging 13.948 USD bn from Dec 2001 (Median) to 2017, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 107.079 USD bn in 2017 and a record low of 1.971 USD bn in 2008. United States FSU: Debt: Short Term: Japan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Department of Treasury. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.Z044: U.S. Residents' Portfolio Holdings of Foreign Securities.

In 2023, China held **** percent of foreign held U.S. securities. Japan held a further **** percent of foreign held securities. The national debt of the United Stated can be found here.

The average for 2022 based on 174 countries was 59.99 percent. The highest value was in Japan: 236.58 percent and the lowest value was in Liechtenstein: 0.5 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2024. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

United States USF: Long Term: Corporate Debt: Japan data was reported at 188.051 USD bn in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 187.421 USD bn for 2016. United States USF: Long Term: Corporate Debt: Japan data is updated yearly, averaging 144.251 USD bn from Jun 2002 (Median) to 2017, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 188.051 USD bn in 2017 and a record low of 62.821 USD bn in 2002. United States USF: Long Term: Corporate Debt: Japan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Department of Treasury. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.Z047: Foreign Residents' Portfolio Holdings of U.S. Securities.

In 2024, the gross government debt of Japan amounted to *** percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), compared to *** percent of the United States. This was an increase for both countries over 2001 levels, Meanwhile, Germany had the lowest government debt ratio at only ** percent.

This graph shows the state debt per capita in the United States for the 2013 fiscal year. In 2013, the state of Alabama had a total per capita debt of ****** U.S. dollars. Average state debt per capita amounted to ****** U.S. dollars.

The national debt of the United Stated can be found here. State debt National debts, also known as public debt and government debt, are the amount of money borrowed by states to cover their budget deficits. Nearly all governments use the debt method to finance operations and projects. Government debt can be seen as an indirect debt on taxpayers.

The public debt of the United States has been rising steadily for the last decades from ******** billion U.S. dollars in 1990 to ********* billion U.S dollars in 2013.

Although the United States’ debt is significantly high, the country with the highest public debt in 2014, in relation to the gross domestic product (GDP), was Japan. Japan had an estimated debt of about ****** percent in relation to the gross domestic product, according to IMF data. Nigeria was among the countries with the lowest national debt in 2014 in relation to the gross domestic product (GDP), with an estimated level of national debt reached about ***** percent of the GDP.

Much of the U.S. public debt is held by foreign investors, debt holders like nations or institutions which lent money to the United States. About ** percent of the U.S. public debt is hold by foreign investors, while the Federal Reserve Bank holds ** percent of the U.S public debt. As of August 2014, China and Japan are the major foreign holders of U.S. treasury debt. According to the Federal Reserve and U.S. Department of the Treasury, China held ******* billion U.S. dollars, while Japan held ******* billion U.S. dollars.

United States FSU: Debt: Long Term: Straight Debt: Japan data was reported at 90.887 USD bn in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 83.641 USD bn for 2015. United States FSU: Debt: Long Term: Straight Debt: Japan data is updated yearly, averaging 55.022 USD bn from Dec 2003 (Median) to 2016, with 14 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 90.887 USD bn in 2016 and a record low of 34.651 USD bn in 2005. United States FSU: Debt: Long Term: Straight Debt: Japan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Department of Treasury. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.Z044: U.S. Residents' Portfolio Holdings of Foreign Securities.

Debt-To-Capital-Ratio Time Series for Toyota Industries Corp. Toyota Industries Corporation manufactures and sells textiles machinery, materials handling equipment, automobiles, and automobile parts in Japan, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Automobile, Materials Handling Equipment, and Textile Machinery segments. It provides vehicles; gasoline and diesel engines for automobiles and industrial equipment; turbochargers and foundry parts; car air-conditioning compressors; car electronics comprising DC-DC converters, in-vehicle chargers, on-board chargers and DC-DC converter units, and DC-AC inverters; batteries; and stamping dies, including automotive and lift truck stamping dies. The company also offers counterbalanced lift trucks, electric reach trucks, skid steer loaders, tow tractors, and electric tow tractors; stationary/fixed type racks, nesting pallets, mobile racks, and automated storage and retrieval systems; automatic guided vehicle systems, high speed rail guided vehicle systems, and automatic guided lift and pallet trucks; aerial work platforms; and develops software comprises warehouse management systems, as well as sales financing services. In addition, it provides spinning machines, such as ring spinning and roving frames; air and water jet loom weaving machines; cotton classing instruments; and fiber, yarn, and fabric quality measurement instruments; and leases machinery and vehicles. Toyota Industries Corporation was incorporated in 1926 and is headquartered in Kariya-shi, Japan.

United States FSU: Debt: Short Term: Others: Japan data was reported at 77.768 USD bn in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 55.990 USD bn for 2016. United States FSU: Debt: Short Term: Others: Japan data is updated yearly, averaging 8.500 USD bn from Dec 2003 (Median) to 2017, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 77.768 USD bn in 2017 and a record low of 218.000 USD mn in 2008. United States FSU: Debt: Short Term: Others: Japan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Department of Treasury. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.Z044: U.S. Residents' Portfolio Holdings of Foreign Securities.

In the third quarter of 2024, household debt in the United States amounted to over 71.66 percent of its GDP. It can be generally observed that U.S. households are more indebted by the end of the year than in any other quarter. The debt of households peaked in the last quarter of 2020, reaching the highest value since 2013. Debt to GDP ratio As it can be observed here, the household debt to GDP ratio decreased overall in the recent years. The steady growth of the gross domestic product in the United States could be a factor explaining this tendency. If the volume of debt grows at a slower pace than the GDP, the debt to GDP ratio would decrease. In addition to that, the overall value of mortgage debt in the U.S., which is the most significant component of the household debt, decreased from 2012 to the third quarter of 2014, but it has rebounded since then. Public debt in the U.S. Public debt in the United States, which is the amount of money borrowed by the government to finance budget deficits, has been increasing almost every single year. Not only that, but according to that forecast it is also expected to keep increasing during the coming years. The major holders of American government debt, as of December 2023, were Federal Reserve and government accounts and foreign and international holders. The ratio of national debt to GDP of the United States was higher than that of other major economies, but lower than that of Japan. Some of the lowest debt to GDP ratios were observed in Hong Kong SAR, Kuwait, and Turkmenistan.