Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato explicitly denied Japan's intent to utilize its substantial holdings of U.S. government bonds as leverage in trade negotiations with the United States. This statement directly refutes earlier speculation regarding the potential use of such assets as a bargaining tool.
The statement aims to dispel any misconception that Japan might employ the sale of U.S. Treasury bonds as a tactic in trade discussions. The clarification appears to be intended to reassure the United States and avoid any escalation of tensions.