Japan · Structural layer · Indicator

Government debt, % of GDP

Fetched 20 Sep 2026, 00:05 UTC
175.6 %
Context
As of Q1 2026
Recession, May 1997 to Jan 1999Recession, Nov 2000 to Jan 2002Recession, Feb 2008 to Mar 2009Recession, Mar 2012 to Nov 2012Recession, Oct 2018 to May 202080100120140160180200220240200020052010201520202025
1997 to 2026 · percent. Shaded bands are recessions.* *Japan's bands are the Cabinet Office reference dates from the peak month.
What it is

Credit to the general government sector as a share of GDP, the BIS's core debt measure: loans and debt securities at market value, consolidated. Shown for context; it has no threshold. The BIS core measure was 176 % of GDP in early 2026, below the 230 to 250 % gross figure the IMF reports, which includes liabilities the BIS leaves out.

Known weaknesses

The BIS core measure leaves out trade credit, pension liabilities and, for China, most local-government financing vehicles, so it sits below the IMF's broader figures.