An enhanced-liquidity auction in Japan is when the government reissues existing JGBs to boost the supply of particular maturities that are in demand. Unlike regular auctions of new issues, these sales are aimed at improving secondary-market liquidity, ensuring smoother trading conditions and more stable yields across the curve.
When Japan’s Ministry of Finance (MOF) does an enhanced-liquidity auction, its issuing more of an existing bond series.
Think of it like a “reopening” of a bond: the same maturity date, same coupon, same terms as an earlier JGB that’s already in circulation.
By creating additional supply of that same issue, the MOF increases the amount outstanding (“outstanding balance”) of that bond, which improves liquidity for investors trading it in the secondary market.
