告别“免费资金”时代！日企海外借贷狂飙至1320亿美元，创纪录浪潮撼动全球市场

Core Insights - The era of "free money" in Japan is ending, leading to a surge in overseas borrowing by Japanese companies, reaching a record level of $132 billion in 2025, a 56% increase year-on-year [1] - Japanese companies are increasingly favoring foreign currency bonds over yen bonds, with annual overseas bond issuance expected to surpass yen bonds for the first time in history [1] - The revival of Japanese companies is reshaping global financial markets, with significant increases in spending and acquisitions, making Japan one of the most active players in global transactions this year [1] Group 1: Overseas Borrowing Trends - Japanese companies have raised $132 billion through foreign currency bonds and loans in 2025, marking a 56% increase compared to the previous year [1] - The cost of borrowing in yen has risen to its highest level since the late 2000s, making overseas financing more attractive [4] - Japan has become the largest source of dollar bonds in the Asia-Pacific region, a position previously held by China [4] Group 2: Mergers and Acquisitions - The total value of mergers and acquisitions by Japanese companies has increased by 129% in 2025, reaching $262 billion, with significant investments in AI and privatizations [7] - Many of these acquisitions are driven by the need for growth outside Japan due to a declining population [7] - Japanese companies are now leading the issuance of foreign currency junk bonds, with approximately $14 billion issued in 2025 [7] Group 3: Investment Grade Bonds - Over 70% of Japan's overseas bond issuances this year have an investment grade rating of A or higher, improving the average rating of Asian dollar bonds [10] - The issuance of investment-grade bonds is transforming the perception of Asian dollar bonds from emerging market investments to a more stable asset class [10] - NTT Inc. issued $17.7 billion in bonds, the largest global issuance by an Asian company, to fund its AI division's privatization [11] Group 4: Market Dynamics - Japanese borrowers accounted for approximately 28% of the $386 billion in dollar and euro bonds issued in the Asia-Pacific region this year, a record high [14] - Investors are increasingly favoring Japanese foreign currency bonds over yen bonds due to better performance, with yen corporate bonds down 0.5% this year [14] - The diversity of issuers in Japan is attracting attention from investors in the Asia-Pacific region [14]