MNI BRIEF: Japan H’hold Fncl Assets At Record At End-June

The balance of financial assets held by Japanese households rose 1.0% y/y to a record JPY2,239 trillion at the end of June, marking a 10th straight quarterly gain, preliminary Bank of Japan data showed Thursday.

Cash and deposits stood at JPY1,126 trillion, slipping 0.1% y/y for the first decline since 2006 but still accounting for 50.3% of total assets, underscoring households’ caution in shifting into riskier investments.

The BOJ remained the largest holder of JGBs including Treasury bills, though its balance fell 5.1% y/y to JPY539 trillion, or 45.02% of total government debt, down from 45.96% in March as it scaled back bond purchases. 

Non-residents increased their JGB holdings including Treasury bills 0.7% y/y to JPY146 trillion, or 12.2% of the total, the first rise since June 2023.