Eli5: How can some country have trillions of dollar in debt like Japan but still functional without any consequences?

Question

Eli5: How can some country have trillions of dollar in debt like Japan but still functional without any consequences?

In: 101

Answer 1

How can ordinary people have $500,000 of debt (mortgages, etc.) and still be functional? Same reason:

The payments required to pay it back are within their capabilities, and spread over a long term.