According to Ministry of Finance, the net external asset balance of Japan as of the end of 2009 increased of 18.1% over the end of last year and became Japanese Yen 266.223 trillion (about US$ 2.95 trillion). It marked a record high. The reason is that it is arising out of the expansion of external bond investing and the proceeding of weaker yen. It increased in two years and was over than that of China, which is the second largest one. It has showed the largest creditor nation in the world for the 19th consecutive year.
　
 The external asset minus the external indebtedness is the net external asset. The external asset of Japan increased in two years. It increased of 6.9% over the end of last year and became Japanese Yen 554.826 (about US$ 6.16 trillion). The appraisal gain increased by the proceeding of weaker yen.