Japanese Firms: Year and Ministry Official

japanese firms: A ministry official refrained from presenting an outlook for the possible impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic on the 2020 balance, according to The Japan Times. In the reporting year, Germany had the world's second-largest net external assets, with 299.83 trillion at the end of 2019, followed by China with 231.77 trillion. The figure, up 6.8 percent from a year earlier and the highest since comparable data became available in 1996, reflected increased direct investments abroad by Japanese firms and a rise in prices of foreign stocks held by domestic investors. ; Japan was the world's largest holder of overseas net assets for the 29th consecutive year, the ministry said. The United States was the biggest net external debt holder with 1.199 quadrillion, according to the ministry. Japanese direct investment in the United States stood at a record 58.20 trillion, and that in China was also the largest on record at 14.22 trillion. RELATED STORIESJapan moves to limit foreign investment in half of listed firms Total Japanese external assets increased 7.8 percent to a record 1.098 quadrillion for the 11th straight year of gains. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.