---
title: Japan’s 20-Year bond auction gets weakest demand since 2012 – Bloomberg
description: "A slump in Japanese bonds worsened Tuesday after the weakest demand at a government debt auction in more than a decade highlighted worries over the central bank’s retreat from the market.\n\nThe rout drove up the 20-year yield by about 15 basis points to the highest since 2000, while the yield on 30-year bonds climbed to the most since that maturity was first sold in 1999. Yields on the 40-year tenor rose to a record high in a sign of nervousness ahead of a sale of that debt next week.\n\nThe surge in yields underscores structural challenges particular to Japan’s debt market, along with the concerns of bond investors globally about the risks posed by rising government spending. Key Japanese buyers like life insurers aren’t stepping in to fill the gap as the central bank scales back its purchases of the nation’s bonds. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s comparison of his own nation’s fiscal position to that of Greece this week sharpened the focus on Japan’s huge debt burden.\n\nThe result is that Japan’s bond curve is the steepest among major economies, even as yields globally are being driven higher, including for US Treasuries."
image: https://blog.syzgroup.com/hubfs/11-May-20-2025-01-18-09-0349-PM.jpg
---

[![Syz Private banking](https://blog.syzgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo.png?width=140&name=Logo.png "Syz Private banking")](https://www.syzgroup.com/fr)

## **Thinking** out loud

[Subscribe](https://25733253.hs-sites-eu1.com/newsletter-signup?hsLang=en)

[![Contact Us](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/25733253/3d762f49-4e71-4f99-97b1-bf6781ef3da2.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/25733253/3d762f49-4e71-4f99-97b1-bf6781ef3da2)

- [OUR SERVICES](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/private-banking)
- [ABOUT SYZ](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/about/welcome-to-syz)
- [CAREERS](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/careers)
- [PRESS](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/news)
- [Blog Homepage](https://blog.syzgroup.com) 
    - [Slow Food for Thought](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thought) 
          - [Focus](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/focus)
          - [Asset allocations Insights](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/asset-allocation-insights)
          - [Market Outlook](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/market-outlook)
          - [Swiss Perspectives](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/swiss-perspectives)
    - [Syz the moment](https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment)
    - [Crypto corner](https://blog.syzgroup.com/crypto-corner)
    - [Syz AI Insights](https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-ai-insights)
    - [Fast Food for Thought](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thought) 
          - [The week in seven charts](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thoughts/tag/the-week-in-seven-charts)
          - [Flash](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thoughts/tag/flash)
          - [Fixed Income Weekly](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thought/tag/weekly-fixed-income)
          - [Equity Weekly](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thought/tag/weekly-equities)
          - [Global markets outlook](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thoughts/tag/global-markets-outlook)
- [CONTACT](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/contact-us/form)
- [ENGLISH](https://www.syzgroup.com/)
- [FRANÇAIS](https://www.syzgroup.com/fr)

- [Slow Food for Thought](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thought) 
    - [Focus](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/focus)
    - [Asset allocations Insights](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/asset-allocation-insights)
    - [Market Outlook](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/market-outlook)
    - [Swiss Perspectives](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/swiss-perspectives)
- [Fast Food for Thought](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thought) 
    - [Flash](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thoughts/tag/flash)
    - [Weekly Fixed Income](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thought/tag/weekly-fixed-income)
    - [The week in seven charts](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/the-week-in-seven-charts)
    - [Global markets outlook](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thoughts/tag/global-markets-outlook)
    - [Weekly Equities](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thought/tag/weekly-equities)
- [Syz the moment](https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment)
- [Crypto corner](https://blog.syzgroup.com/crypto-corner)
- [Syz AI Insights](https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-ai-insights)
- [Our Services](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/private-banking)
- [About Syz](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/about/welcome-to-syz)
- [Careers](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/careers)
- [Press](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/news)
- [Contact](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/contact-us/form)
- [English](https://www.syzgroup.com/)
- [Français](https://www.syzgroup.com/fr)

## **Sign-up** for our newsletter

 This website uses cookies to enhance user navigation and to collect statistical data. You can change your settings below to refuse the use of cookies. For more information, please refer to the [Cookies policy](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/legal-notices).

 Mandatory cookies

 Functional cookies

 Statistics & marketing

I confirm I am not a US citizen residing in the US

I confirm I am not accessing this site from the US

I confirm that I am not a resident of Canada (except for Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia or Alberta).

Agree and confirm

### Restricted access

We are sorry that for legal reasons we are not able to help US citizens or Canadian residents other than in Ontario, Quebec, or Alberta. Best wishes for the future…

### Restricted access

We are sorry that for legal reasons we are not able to help US citizens or Canadian residents other than in Ontario, Quebec, or Alberta. Best wishes for the future…

You chose the following profile. If you made a mistake, please change here USA

Country

Switzerland Canada: Other than Ontario, Quebec, Alberta Canada: Ontario, Quebec or Alberta USA Other country

Language

Language English French German Italian

I confirm

Legal information

This marketing document has been issued by Bank Syz Ltd. It is not intended for distribution to, publication, provision or use by individuals or legal entities that are citizens of or reside in a state, country or jurisdiction in which applicable laws and regulations prohibit its distribution, publication, provision or use. It is not directed to any person or entity to whom it would be illegal to send such marketing material.

This document is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, solicitation or recommendation for the subscription, purchase, sale or safekeeping of any security or financial instrument or for the engagement in any other transaction, as the provision of any investment advice or service, or as a contractual document. Nothing in this document constitutes an investment, legal, tax or accounting advice or a representation that any investment or strategy is suitable or appropriate for an investor's particular and individual circumstances, nor does it constitute a personalized investment advice for any investor.

This document reflects the information, opinions and comments of Bank Syz Ltd. as of the date of its publication, which are subject to change without notice. The opinions and comments of the authors in this document reflect their current views and may not coincide with those of other   
 Syz Group entities or third parties, which may have reached different conclusions. The market valuations, terms and calculations contained herein are estimates only. The information provided comes from sources deemed reliable, but Bank Syz Ltd. does not guarantee its completeness, accuracy, reliability and actuality. Past performance gives no indication of nor guarantees current or future results. Bank Syz Ltd. accepts no liability for any loss arising from the use of this document.

20 May 2025

- <https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment/japans-20-year-bond-auction-gets-weakest-demand-since-2012-bloomberg&text=Japan’s%2020-Year%20bond%20auction%20gets%20weakest%20demand%20since%202012%20–%20Bloomberg>
- <http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment/japans-20-year-bond-auction-gets-weakest-demand-since-2012-bloomberg&submitted-image-url=https://25733253.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/25733253/11-May-20-2025-01-18-09-0349-PM.jpg&title=Japan’s%2020-Year%20bond%20auction%20gets%20weakest%20demand%20since%202012%20–%20Bloomberg&summary=A%20slump%20in%20Japanese%20bonds%20worsened%20Tuesday%20after%20the%20weakest%20demand%20at%20a%20government%20debt%20auction%20in%20more%20than%20a%20decade%20highlighted%20worries%20over%20the%20central%20bank’s%20retreat%20from%20the%20market.%20The%20rout%20drove%20up%20the%2020-year%20yield%20by%20about%2015%20basis%20points%20to%20the%20highest%20since%202000,%20while%20the%20yield%20on%2030-year%20bonds%20climbed%20to%20the%20most%20since%20that%20maturity%20was%20first%20sold%20in%201999.%20Yields%20on%20the%2040-year%20tenor%20rose%20to%20a%20record%20high%20in%20a%20sign%20of%20nervousness%20ahead%20of%20a%20sale%20of%20that%20debt%20next%20week.%20The%20surge%20in%20yields%20underscores%20structural%20challenges%20particular%20to%20Japan’s%20debt%20market,%20along%20with%20the%20concerns%20of%20bond%20investors%20globally%20about%20the%20risks%20posed%20by%20rising%20government%20spending.%20Key%20Japanese%20buyers%20like%20life%20insurers%20aren’t%20stepping%20in%20to%20fill%20the%20gap%20as%20the%20central%20bank%20scales%20back%20its%20purchases%20of%20the%20nation’s%20bonds.%20Meanwhile,%20the%20Prime%20Minister’s%20comparison%20of%20his%20own%20nation’s%20fiscal%20position%20to%20that%20of%20Greece%20this%20week%20sharpened%20the%20focus%20on%20Japan’s%20huge%20debt%20burden.%20The%20result%20is%20that%20Japan’s%20bond%20curve%20is%20the%20steepest%20among%20major%20economies,%20even%20as%20yields%20globally%20are%20being%20driven%20higher,%20including%20for%20US%20Treasuries.&source=https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment/japans-20-year-bond-auction-gets-weakest-demand-since-2012-bloomberg>
- <https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment/japans-20-year-bond-auction-gets-weakest-demand-since-2012-bloomberg>

#### Japan’s 20-Year bond auction gets weakest demand since 2012 – Bloomberg

 A slump in Japanese bonds worsened Tuesday after the weakest demand at a government debt auction in more than a decade highlighted worries over the central bank’s retreat from the market. The rout drove up the 20-year yield by about 15 basis points to the highest since 2000, while the yield on 30-year bonds climbed to the most since that maturity was first sold in 1999. Yields on the 40-year tenor rose to a record high in a sign of nervousness ahead of a sale of that debt next week. The surge in yields underscores structural challenges particular to Japan’s debt market, along with the concerns of bond investors globally about the risks posed by rising government spending. Key Japanese buyers like life insurers aren’t stepping in to fill the gap as the central bank scales back its purchases of the nation’s bonds. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s comparison of his own nation’s fiscal position to that of Greece this week sharpened the focus on Japan’s huge debt burden. The result is that Japan’s bond curve is the steepest among major economies, even as yields globally are being driven higher, including for US Treasuries.

[#Fixed Income|](https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment/tag/fixed-income) [#Asia](https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment/tag/asia)

![Japan’s 20-Year bond auction gets weakest demand since 2012 – Bloomberg](https://blog.syzgroup.com/hubfs/11-May-20-2025-01-18-09-0349-PM.jpg)

![Japan’s 20-Year bond auction gets weakest demand since 2012 – Bloomberg](https://blog.syzgroup.com/hubfs/11-May-20-2025-01-18-09-0349-PM.jpg)

#### Disclaimer

This marketing document has been issued by Bank Syz Ltd. It is not intended for distribution to, publication, provision or use by individuals or legal entities that are citizens of or reside in a state, country or jurisdiction in which applicable laws and regulations prohibit its distribution, publication, provision or use. It is not directed to any person or entity to whom it would be illegal to send such marketing material. This document is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, solicitation or recommendation for the subscription, purchase, sale or safekeeping of any security or financial instrument or for the engagement in any other transaction, as the provision of any investment advice or service, or as a contractual document. Nothing in this document constitutes an investment, legal, tax or accounting advice or a representation that any investment or strategy is suitable or appropriate for an investor's particular and individual circumstances, nor does it constitute a personalized investment advice for any investor. This document reflects the information, opinions and comments of Bank Syz Ltd. as of the date of its publication, which are subject to change without notice. The opinions and comments of the authors in this document reflect their current views and may not coincide with those of other Syz Group entities or third parties, which may have reached different conclusions. The market valuations, terms and calculations contained herein are estimates only. The information provided comes from sources deemed reliable, but Bank Syz Ltd. does not guarantee its completeness, accuracy, reliability and actuality. Past performance gives no indication of nor guarantees current or future results. Bank Syz Ltd. accepts no liability for any loss arising from the use of this document.

Read More

## Related Articles

<https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment/indonesian-stocks-plunge-12-the-most-since-the-asian-financial-crisis-in-the-late-1990s?hsLang=en>

[equities|](https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment/tag/equities) [Asia](https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment/tag/asia)

#### [Indonesian stocks plunge -12%, the most since the Asian Financial Crisis in the late 1990s.](https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment/indonesian-stocks-plunge-12-the-most-since-the-asian-financial-crisis-in-the-late-1990s?hsLang=en)

MSCI weighs removing Indonesia from its global benchmarks, says it no longer merits EM status Source: David Ingles, Bloomberg

**[Charles-Henry Monchau, CFA, CMT, CAIA](https://blog.syzgroup.com/author/charles-henry-monchau?hsLang=en)**

|

16/10/2026

<https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment/the-united-kingdom-has-purchased-the-most-amount-of-french-bonds-out-of-any-nation?hsLang=en>

[Fixed Income|](https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment/tag/fixed-income) [United Kingdom](https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment/tag/united-kingdom)

#### [The United Kingdom has purchased the most amount of French bonds out of any nation.](https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment/the-united-kingdom-has-purchased-the-most-amount-of-french-bonds-out-of-any-nation?hsLang=en)

This puts the UK at the greatest risk of potential contagion & losses if France were to default on their debt or require an IMF & European Central bank loan. When Greece experienced this in 2011 European Banking Crisis, youth unemployment skyrocketed to 60% by 2013. Source: Financelot

**[Charles-Henry Monchau, CFA, CMT, CAIA](https://blog.syzgroup.com/author/charles-henry-monchau?hsLang=en)**

|

16/10/2026

<https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment/coreweave-shares-fell-about-13-wednesday-as-its-2032-bonds-hit-a-record-14.5-yield?hsLang=en>

[Fixed Income|](https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment/tag/fixed-income) [AI](https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment/tag/ai)

#### [CoreWeave shares fell about 13% Wednesday as its 2032 bonds hit a record 14.5% yield.](https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment/coreweave-shares-fell-about-13-wednesday-as-its-2032-bonds-hit-a-record-14.5-yield?hsLang=en)

Those bonds were issued in June at 9.625%. That’s an increase of nearly 5 percentage points in four months in the yield investors demand to hold its unsecured debt. The figures behind the move: ▪️ More than $35 billion raised this year. ▪️ Around $52 billion in debt and lease obligations. ▪️ $640 million in net interest expense last quarter—roughly a quarter of revenue. ▪️ A $104 billion backlog, with revenue dependent on infrastructure delivery and customer payments. Venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya shared the yield chart, warning of a potential private credit bubble linked to AI. According to figures he cited, private lenders charge AI borrowers spreads of 6.2 percentage points, compared with 6.1 points for other borrowers. CoreWeave’s backlog has grown. So has the yield on its debt. Source: Hedgie

**[Charles-Henry Monchau, CFA, CMT, CAIA](https://blog.syzgroup.com/author/charles-henry-monchau?hsLang=en)**

|

15/10/2026

## Straight from the Desk

# Syz the moment

Live feeds, charts, breaking stories, all day long.

[Discover more](https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment)

## **Thinking** out loud

Sign up for our weekly email highlighting the most popular posts.

Follow us

## **Thinking** out loud

- <https://www.linkedin.com/company/syz-group>
- <https://twitter.com/SYZ_Group>
- <https://www.facebook.com/Syzgroup>
- <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqYkMqGRB-DaDaggM8fTW8g>

## **Investing** with intelligence

Our latest research, commentary and market outlooks

#### [Weekly Market Update](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thoughts/tag/weekly-market-update?hsLang=en)

#### [Focus](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/focus?hsLang=en)

#### [Asset Allocation Insights](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/asset-allocation-insights?hsLang=en)

#### [Semi-annual Outlook](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/semi-annual-outlook?hsLang=en)

- [Contact](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/contact-us/form)
- [Terms & conditions](https://www.syzgroup.com/sites/default/files/document/2021-12/001-2_en-general_terms_and_conditions_w.pdf)
- [Data protection notice](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/data-protection-notice)
- [Cookies policy](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/legal-notices)
- [Syzgroup.com](https://www.syzgroup.com/)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Charles-Henry Monchau, CFA, CMT, CAIA",
    "url" : "https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment/author/charles-henry-monchau"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2025-05-20T13:18:25.144Z",
  "datePublished" : "2025-05-20T13:18:25.000Z",
  "headline" : "Japan’s 20-Year bond auction gets weakest demand since 2012 – Bloomberg",
  "image" : [ "https://blog.syzgroup.com/hubfs/11-May-20-2025-01-18-09-0349-PM.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment/japans-20-year-bond-auction-gets-weakest-demand-since-2012-bloomberg",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://blog.syzgroup.com/hubfs/Logo%20(1).png"
    },
    "name" : "Syz Group"
  }
}
```