🇯🇵 JAPAN DEBT COSTS TO HIT RECORD $230 BILLION Japan’s Finance Ministry expects debt-servicing costs to surge 17% to a record ¥36.6 trillion ($230 billion) next fiscal year. The increase reflects rising bond yields and higher interest rates, with ¥16.6 trillion allocated to interest payments. Japan’s overall budget requests are also expected to exceed ¥130 trillion for the first time, intensifying concerns over government spending and Prime Minister Takaichi’s fiscal plans.(*Walter Bloomberg)