Strong Foreign Demand for US Treasuries

Apollo Chief Economist

When the Fed started raising interest rates in March 2022, foreign private investors started buying a lot more Treasuries because they liked the higher level of yields, see the first chart below.

Japan is the biggest foreign holder of US Treasuries. With rates higher for longer, the latest data shows continued strong demand from Japan.

Our updated chart book looking at Japanese demand for US Treasuries is available here.

Japanese demand for US Treasuries
Foreign purchases of Treasuries come mainly from the private sector
Source: Treasury, Haver Analytics, Apollo Chief Economist
Japan owns $1.1 trillion in US Treasuries. China owns $760 billion.
Source: Bloomberg, Apollo Chief Economist
USD/JPY has appreciated 10 points less than predicted by US/JP interest rate differentials
Source: Bloomberg, Apollo Chief Economist
Wage growth in Japan at 30-year highs
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Haver Analytics, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Japan, Bloomberg, Apollo Chief Economist
Japan: Long run inflation expectations rising. This is a problem for the BoJ.
Source: Bloomberg, Apollo Chief Economist
Japanese net purchases of foreign bonds
Source: Ministry of Finance Japan, Bloomberg, Apollo Chief Economist

Download high-res chart book


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