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Recording Principles of Direct Investment

July, 2014


The recording principle of direct investment varies depending on the data series.

Data series Recording principle General description
  • Balance of Payments
  • Regional Balance of Payments
  • Direct Investment by Region and Industry
      1. Direct Investment Income
  • International Investment Position of Japan
  • Regional Direct Investment Position, Regional Portfolio Investment and Financial Derivatives Position
Asset and Liability Principle Investments of Japanese companies in foreign companies are classified as assets and investments from foreign companies in Japanese companies are classified as liabilities.

For direct investment income, receipts of dividends etc. by Japanese companies from foreign companies are recorded as credit and payments of dividends etc. from Japanese companies to foreign companies are recorded as debit.
  • Direct Investment by Region and Industry
      2. Direct Investment Flows
  • Direct Investment Position by Region and Industry
Directional principle Investments of a Japanese company in overseas affiliated companies are classified as outward investment (assets) and investments from a foreign company in Japanese affiliated companies are classified as inward investment (liabilities).

For example, investments from an overseas affiliated company in its parent company in Japan are not recorded under inward investment but recorded as reverse investments, namely withdrawals from the parent company, under outward investment.
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