I was just thinking with all of the tourists, in addition to all of the new immigration into Japan that the weak Yen may be intentional. I recall hearing something about how in the late 80s the international banking community used some finical tools to suffocate Japan's economy so I'm curious if there is something else going on with Japan right now.
I'm completely blind about what is going on with Japan in terms of its economic health. So curious if there are any explanations for Japan's weak Yen.
It always has been. Their economy has been a shambles since the 80s and the cheap yen helps their export market compensate for reduced demand of all their manufactured products, as well as attracting investors. The downside is that it will eventually make it impossible to keep servicing their debt, which is among the highest in the world compare to GDP.
Wait a sec, don't they own the most US debt out of any other country in the world?
Yes, but that's not how debt works. You can't just trade yours for someone else's.
Besides. Just say they decide to call in everything the US owes them on paper. How are they going to collect?
It's not really that, is there a chance another country, say China could aquire that from Japan if their economy gets worse?
Yep. But the more US debt any one country holds, the more their own economy is threatened by a possible US default.