TOKYO: 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% 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.