Japan's net external assets hit a record 411 trillion yen ($3.24 trillion) in 2021, to retain its position as the top creditor for 31 years in a row, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said on Friday. A weak yen - it lost about 11 per cent against the dollar last year - boosted the value of foreign assets held by the Japanese government, businesses and individuals. And that currency factor, together with a rise in direct investment overseas, helped Japan post a record 5.6 billion yen annual increase in the value of net external assets. "The weak yen and the gains in the U.S. stock market helped net external assets pile ... (full story)