I’m Zen from Japan. From April 2024, I’d like to publish my assets, income and expenditure once a month. Please enjoy watching the release of assets held by average Japanese. If you have any advice, please let me know!
Firstly, I introduce myself. It looks roughly like the following
Age : completed master’s degree in 2021 (late 20s) Major : Chemical Engineering Occupation : Research and development job at a chemical manufacturer Income : Late 200,000 yen Investment policy : Focusing on index investment with NISA, and trying out various investments Target : Dividend 1 million yen/year
Assets amount disclosure (April 2024)
Total assets amount
Zen’s total assets in April 2024 were 13,009,462 yen. (83,325 USD) The breakdown is as follows.
In terms of Japanese yen, only Japanese stocks were negative compared to last month, so the overall balance increased by 589,640 yen due to bonuses. On the other hand, in dollar terms, due to the ongoing depreciation of the yen, individual balances other than the Japanese yen became negative. The overall balance increased by 1,226 USD.
Let’s check the breakdown of each financial asset.
Japanese stocks
The Japanese stocks held by Zen were -1,038 USD compared to last month. The trend of the Nikkei Average in dollar terms was as shown in the image below.
Charts provided by TradingView
Since the Nikkei average is falling, I believe that the stocks I hold have also fallen. I think that such ups and downs are unavoidable as long as I’m investing. But when I actually see the negative results compared to last month, it almost breaks my heart.
I believe that it will rise in the long run, and I’d like to hold onto it patiently.
Investment trust (S&P500)
I have accumulated the following investment trusts using the new NISA investment limit. ・三菱UFJ-eMAXIS Slim 米国株式（S&P500） 33,333 yen ・三菱UFJ-eMAXIS Slim バランス（8資産均等型） 10,000 yen
The investment trust I held was -248 USD compared to last month. The trend of S&P500 was as shown in the image below.
Charts provided by TradingView
The S&P 500 fell in April. Changes in S&P 500 in yen terms are also displayed, due to the effect of the weaker yen, the decline in Japanese yen terms was small.
Bonds
As for bonds, I hold iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond Market ETF (AGG). The bonds I hold increased by -58 USD compared to last month. This month’s AGG trend was as shown in the image below.
Charts provided by TradingView
AGG’s valuation is declining because the US economy is doing well.
Exchange rate
This month’s JPY/USD trend was as shown in the image below.
Charts provided by TradingView
I’m happy that the value of the Japanese yen increases just by holding the US dollar even though I’m not doing anything. On the other hand, I have mixed feelings when I consider that the assets held in Japanese yen are decreasing in US dollar terms.
In theory, I was aware of the risks of holding only the Japanese yen, but when the yen actually depreciates, the scale of this risk becomes even more acute.
This month’s expenses
This month’s credit card payment amount was 120,321 yen (771 USD). Since it was the season for welcome and farewell parties, we spent a lot of money on drinking parties. I like drinking parties, so I don’t want to be skimpy with my money, but if it costs more than 100,000 yen, I get really concerned about it.
Summary
Overall, my assets were positive compared to last month, but this was due to bonuses and a weaker yen, so I don’t think we can be optimistic. The ratio of Japanese yen is 37%, so I feel like investing somewhere. However, there are currently no investments that I feel are cheap, so I’m leaving it as Japanese yen for now.
The above was the asset amount disclosed in April 2024. We have Golden Week in May, so let’s do our best. See you next month.
