Japan loses status as world's top creditor after 34 years

General view of buyers during the first new year tuna auction of the year at Toyosu Market in Tokyo, Japan, on January 5, 2025. (Photo by David Mareuil / Anadolu via AFP)

Japan has lost its position as the world's top creditor after 34 years, falling behind Germany, even as its net external assets last year hit a record high, officials said Tuesday.

Japan's net external assets as of the end of last year stood at 533.05 trillion yen ($3.7 trillion), up 12.9 percent from a year earlier, according to data released by the finance ministry.