CCTV9英语新闻：Americans buy property, Japanese bet on yen（在线收听）

Residents in major economies such as the US and Japan have been enjoying ultra low interest rates for a long time. People in Japan are even seeing negative rates. Take a look at how people in those countries are planning their personal finances in such an environment. 

The US had a zero interest rate after 2008 until the Fed raised it slightly at the end of last year. How, then, have Americans been planning their personal investments in such a low-interest environment? Real estate seems to be the most popular answer.

Experts say property is a big part of the average American's retirement plan.

Financial planning for households in Japan is very different. The country lowered its interest into negative territory earlier this year. 

Many families invested in products that count on the yen's depreciation, but the currency went the other way. 

"The Japanese yen was expected to depreciate after the Bank of Japan cut its interest rate to negative. I had the same expectations, but the yen keeps appreciating. I don't understand it anymore," said one investor.

"Everyone expected the negative rate policy could prompt residents to move their savings to wealth management. But the reality is the opposite. Now that the yen rises above 110 a dollar, investors' enthusiasm dropped sharply," said Fxprime director.

Japan's negative rate policy has prompted many people to withdraw their savings from banks to avoid paying fees. That boosted the prices of home safes. The BOJ has also announced a plan to print more money with a 10,000-yen-face-value, to increase the country's cash supply.