Japan's foreign-exchange reserves rose to a record high $1.01 trillion at the end of February, reaching 13 figures for the first time, the Finance Ministry said Friday.
The milestone was reached as Japan debates ways of seeking higher returns from the vast pool of cash. Some have called for creating a sovereign wealth fund to manage the reserves, which are the second-largest after China.
Japan's reserves expanded by $11.937 billion from the end of January, growing for the ninth consecutive month.