Part 8/9:
While Kato emphasized the existence of this "card" in negotiations, he did not imply an immediate intention to liquidate these assets. The discussion follows a round of tense talks focused on trade barriers and potential increases in Japanese imports of U.S. energy and agricultural goods.
However, experts have expressed skepticism regarding the actual leverage conferred by Japan's treasury holdings. Historically, countries with large treasury contexts have refrained from utilizing them as bargaining chips, largely due to the potential economic fallout that would ensue from such actions.