As long as the account is open and in good standing (which it will be if your balance is zero), you will be reported to the credit bureaus as current on the account each month.

FORBES: How To Fix Bad Credit On The Cheap

More likely, a worsening current-account balance would weaken the yen, which hit a 14-year high against the dollar on November 26th.

ECONOMIST: Japan is not yet doomed to debt-induced penury