JAPAN NOW AT TOP OF LIST OF U.S. CREDITORS

Japan is now the largest foreign holder of U.S. Treasury securities, surpassing China, according to the Treasury Department. At the end of February, Japan held $1,224.4 billion of U.S. government securities, up from $1,210.8 billion a year earlier. China held $1,223.7 billion, down from $1,272.9 billion. Foreigners own about 47% of the $13.1 trillion of Treasury debt outstanding. The majority of U.S. Treasury debt is owned by U.S. investors, pensions and the Fed. Another $5.1T of federal debt is considered intergovernmental holdings, mainly securities owned by the Social Security trust fund.