"That's based on outstanding bonds and issues, not standard debt braniac. These instruments are used to raise cash and pay out dividends to investors for the use of their money, as far out as 30 years. I wish some of you would please understand some basic economic principles."
I get what you are saying but a bond IS STILL Debt !!!!! There is no way around that, you can't just sweep it under the carpet and pretend it's not there.
If sony owe XX billion $ in bond repayments , albeit over 30 years, that is still real debt.
A bond is effectively a documented issuance of DEBT with payment terms attached.
Of course, as you mentioned, the advantage is that you spread the debt over 30+ years, but in the end you still have to pay it off.
"If you also read your own link, you would see that Sony currently has the fifth highest rated A+ long term debt rating of ALL Standard and Poors ratings for ALL companies."
And that is based on perceived ability to repay that debt, NOT on how much debt they have alone. A+ is basicallly saying "Sony are good to pay back on any long term debt agreements you may have". Also note, i think that might have been reassessed to A or A- recently - hardly a problem, i think you'd agree.