Chapter 2 2.12

Political Influence on JGB Issuance

How political leadership affects JGB issuance amounts but not strategy

Political Influence on Issuance

A new administration or prime minister impacts the purpose and amount of new debt, but not the core strategy of issuance.

📊 What Politicians Control

  • Budget Deficit Size: How much new spending the government authorizes
  • Purpose of Borrowing: Whether debt finances infrastructure, defense, stimulus, etc.
  • Total Issuance Amount: The sum of Construction Bonds and Special Deficit-Financing Bonds

🏛️ What the MOF Controls

  • Issuance Strategy: The mix of maturities (2-year, 10-year, 30-year, etc.)
  • Auction Calendar: When and how bonds are sold to the market
  • Debt Management: Technical decisions about refinancing, buybacks, and maturity extension

The Division of Power: Politicians decide "how much to borrow", but MOF professionals decide "how to borrow it".