Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

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The Nikkei 225 closed above 63,000 for the first time, marking a significant milestone amid market uncertainty. TOPIX companies are expected to achieve nearly 6% profit growth, fueled by demand for AI and gains in the banking sector. Additionally, Japanese investors sold foreign stocks in April due to concerns over inflation and energy costs.

BlackRock, Inc.

iShares MSCI Japan GBP Hedged UCITS ETF (Acc)

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc.

ChinaAMC Nomura N225 ETF(QDII)

Lyxor Japan (TOPIX)(DR) UCITS ETF

Asset Management One Co., Ltd.

Simplex Financial Holdings Co., Ltd.

Invesco MSCI Japan UCITS ETF

Pro Ultrshrt Yen

Nikkei closes above 63,000 as profits, AI demand lift stocks

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The NIKKEI 225 Index fell 0.34% this week, down 203.06 points to 59513.12, marking its largest weekly decline since April 2026 and ending a three-week winning streak. Despite today's rise of 0.38%, the index remains 1.69% off its record close of 60537.36. Year-to-date, it has increased by 18.22%, up 9173.64 points.

MorningStar

Nomura Holdings, Inc.

NIKKEI 225 Index Falls 0.34% This Week to 59513.12 — Data Talk

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The Bank of Japan (BOJ) maintained its interest rate at 0.75% but three board members proposed a hike to 1.0%, indicating concerns over inflation due to the Middle East conflict. The BOJ revised its inflation forecasts upward and warned of potential inflation overshoot risks. Economists expect a rate hike as early as June, driven by rising inflation expectations and wage increases. The yen rose while the Nikkei fell post-announcement. The BOJ's cautious approach is influenced by the ongoing geopolitical tensions and their impact on economic conditions.

- The Bank of Japan maintained its policy rate at 0.75% but faced dissent from three board members advocating for a rise to 1.0%, reflecting concerns over inflation from Middle Eastern conflicts.  
- The central bank significantly raised its price forecasts while warning of inflation risks, suggesting potential interest rate hikes in the coming months.  
- Market reactions indicated a rising yen and a declining Nikkei index, as attention turned to the impact of geopolitical instability on Japan’s monetary policy trajectory.

Fidelity

FL2 CSOP NIKKEI

Currencyshares JPY Trust

Huaan MUFG N225 ETF(QDII)

CSOP NIKKEI225

FI2 CSOP NIKKEI

Bank of Japan

HSBC HOLDINGS

Daiwa Securities Group Inc.

HSBC 5xShortSG241213

HSBC Holdings Plc

HSBC

BOJ keeps rates steady but hawkish split points to June hike

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FANUY

KYCCF

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Japan's Nikkei closed above 60,000 for the first time, rising 1.38% to 60,537.36, driven by optimism over corporate earnings, particularly in AI and semiconductor sectors. Keyence and Fanuc shares surged nearly 16% after strong profit reports. Despite initial declines, the index rebounded following news of potential peace talks in the Middle East. Market focus remains on upcoming earnings reports, with profit-taking expected around the 60,000 mark. The broader Topix index also rose, gaining 0.5% to 3,735.28, as the Nikkei has increased 18.6% this year.

Businesstimes News

Keyence Corporation

Fanuc Corporation

Fanuc

Keyence

Japan Agricultural Cooperatives Group

MAXIS TOPIX Core30 ETF

Japan's Nikkei closes above 60,000 for first time on earnings optimism

Japan's national inflation data for March 2026 is set to be released, following Tokyo's consumer price data which showed a year-on-year inflation rate of 1.4%, down from 1.5% in February. The core inflation rate fell to 1.7%, below the Bank of Japan's 2% target for the second consecutive month. Despite government subsidies helping to contain inflation, upward pressure from energy prices and a weak yen are expected to reignite inflation momentum. The Bank of Japan is likely to revise its inflation projections higher at the upcoming policy meeting, indicating a readiness to adjust rates in response to economic conditions.

- Japan's national inflation data for March 2026 is set to be released, with Tokyo's consumer price data providing an early reference.  
- The overall inflation rate in the capital is 1.4%, down from 1.5% in February, marking the lowest level since March 2022, while core inflation excluding fresh food has decreased to 1.7%.  
- Despite ongoing inflationary pressures from energy prices and a weak yen, government subsidies have played a significant role in controlling overall inflation, though rising commodity costs may prompt higher prices in the near future.

Investinglive

Economic and event calendar in Asia Friday, April 24, 2026. Japan inflation data

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US investors are returning to Japanese stocks as confidence recovers from the Middle East crisis, according to Goldman Sachs. The stabilizing yen has led to increased US capital inflows into the Nikkei 225, which has surged 16% this month. Investors view Japan's recent selloff as influenced by global factors, making them more comfortable re-entering the market. Domestic catalysts, including earnings season and governance changes, are expected to enhance capital efficiency. However, risks remain if Middle East tensions escalate, impacting global growth. Goldman has lowered its 12-month target for the Topix to 4,200 from 4,300.

Bloomberg

Nissin Foods Holdings Co., Ltd.

Goldman Sachs

S&P 500

Japan Exchange

GS Hldg R

Goldman Says US Buyers Return to Japan Stocks as War Shock Fades

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eToro has announced the addition of all stocks listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) to its platform, including companies in the Nikkei 225 index. This expansion aims to provide MENA investors with access to Japan's equity market, which is the world's third-largest. eToro is also launching the JapanEconomy portfolio, featuring 30 TSE-listed stocks, to help investors diversify. Recent surveys indicate a growing belief among retail investors that Japan's stock market will yield strong returns in the coming years, driven by structural reforms and improved corporate governance.

Zawya

ZAWYA: EToro adds Japanese stocks and launches JapanEconomy portfolio

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According to data from the Japan Exchange Group, as of the week ending March 27, overseas investors net sold approximately 1.51 trillion yen (9.5 billion USD) of Japanese stocks, marking the third consecutive week of selling, with the scale of the sell-off being the largest since September 2024. This indicates that the market is increasingly worried about the impact of the Iran war on the Asian economy. Since the outbreak of the Iran conflict, the Nikkei index has underperformed the S&P 500 index by about 6 percentage points, after previously outperforming the S&P 500 index and other global stock markets in January and February

AASTOCKS

Welcia Holdings Co., Ltd.

Foreign investors sold Japanese stocks last week at the highest scale in 18 months

The Nikkei Index rose significantly today, closing up 2,675 points or 5.2%, marking the fourth largest increase in history. The market's anticipation of the end of the US-Iran conflict has driven foreign capital to cover short positions, with AI and semiconductor stocks leading the gains, and Kioxia's stock price rising by 14.3%. Other well-performing stocks include heavy industry, metals, and trading companies, contributing to an overall optimistic market sentiment

"Asian Stocks" Nikkei closed up 2,675 points or 5.2% for the day, with semiconductor and optical fiber stocks leading the rise, Kioxia surged 14%

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.(1492.JP)