The following is one of the most comprehensive snapshots of relative debt and leverage in the major advanced economies.   The source of the table is the IMF’s Global Financial Stability Report (page 11).

We find interesting that U.S. debt held abroad is less than that, say France, which is probably due to Europeans financing of the French budget deficit.  Also interesting the line “Households’ net debt”,  which is, with a positive sign,  equivalent to household net worth as % of GDP.

Note also Japan’s economy negative net external liabilities, which is a reflection of cumulative private sector investment held abroad, a result of the county’s structural current account surplus, and why the Yen has remained strong in a weak economy.    The table also illustrates that Japanese banks have been financing the public sector sector and are heavily exposed to JGBs (see line “Bank claims on public sector”)

Click on the table for better resolution and greater clarity.

(click here if table is not observable)