[hristov]

Remember how before all of our consumer electronics became Chinese they used to be Japanese. Also remember how most cars that work in america are also Japanese. We have been running a huge trade deficit with Japan since the 80s.

In fact I am surprised that China overtook Japan already.

[m0th87]

They've overtaken Japan only in deficit (i.e. the derivative of debt); Japan could very well still have more debt.