Standard & Poor's Downgrades Japan to 'AA-'

January 27, 2011 7:20 AM EST
Overnight, Standard & Poor's lowered its long-term sovereign credit ratings on Japan to 'AA-' from 'AA'.

"The downgrade reflects our appraisal that Japan's government debt ratios--already among the highest for rated sovereigns--will continue to rise further than we envisaged before the global economic recession hit the country and will peak only in the mid-2020s. Specifically, we expect general government fiscal deficits to fall only modestly from an estimated 9.1% of GDP in fiscal 2010 (ending March 31, 2011) to 8.0% in fiscal 2013. In the medium term, we do not forecast the government achieving a primary balance before 2020 unless a significant fiscal consolidation program is implemented beforehand."

S&P affirmed the 'A-1+' short-term sovereign credit ratings. The outlook on the long-term rating is stable.


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