THE ECONOMY

U.S. Remains Largest Debtor Nation: The United States retained its position as the world’s largest international investment debtor in 1990 as direct Japanese holdings in America soared 24%, according to a Commerce Department report. The department said the increase in Japanese investments helped Japan solidify its hold as the foreign nation with the second-largest total of direct investment in the United States with $83.5 billion. Britain retained its position as the largest holder of direct assets in the United States, defined as at least 10% ownership of a business, with holdings of $108.06 billion.