Japan Inc. boosts short-term corporate debt holdings amid inflation

FinanceCommercial paper on books doubles over 2 years to 17-year highJapanese corporations are holding more commercial paper as a way to park their cash. (Source photos by Nikkei)SORA KITAJIMAAugust 16, 2026 00:23 JSTTOKYO -- Japanese companies are rapidly increasing investments in short-term corporate bonds known as commercial paper, with holdings doubling in the past two years to reach the highest level in 17 years.Read NextPolicy AsiaCan Takaichi's $2.3tn bet on industrial policy revive growth in Japan?Artificial intelligenceAI funding spree shows signs of strain: higher borrowing costs, SpaceX sell-offCurrenciesYen pares intervention gains as Asian tech shares surgeBondsJapan securities dealers to disclose more corporate bond tradesBank of JapanBank of Japan to keep key rate unchanged