Japan's new prime minister says the country is at risk of collapsing under a mountain of debt.
In his first major speech since becoming the leader on 4 June, Naoto Kan said Japan needs financial restructuring to avert a financial crisis similar to the one in Greece.
After years of borrowing, Japan's debt is twice its gross domestic product.
However, Mr Kan did not detail what changes he may impose to revive the economy after years of stagnation.
The BBC reports there was no response from the markets: the yen, the Nikkei stock market index and Japanese government bonds were unmoved.
Unlike Greece or Spain, Japan is a net lender to the rest of the world, to the tune of 2.5% of its GDP last year.
The Japanese government is effectively the only borrower in Japan. raising all the money it needs from the savings of its citizens at 2% interest.
At present, government debt is 200% of GDP: 95% is held by Japanese investors. The interest rate set by the Bank of Japan is 0.1%.
Formerly the minister of finance, Mr Kan is Japan's fifth prime minister in three years.
