Japanese Shares Rise After Inflation Data

2026-04-24 01:04 By Jam Kaimo Samonte 1 min. read

The Nikkei 225 Index rose 0.6% toward 59,500 on Friday, while the broader Topix Index gained 0.4% to 3,730, recovering part of the previous session’s losses as investors assessed fresh inflation data ahead of next week’s Bank of Japan policy decision.

Japan’s core inflation accelerated for the first time in five months, driven by higher energy costs, though it remained below the BOJ’s 2% target.

Markets widely expect the central bank to keep interest rates unchanged, as policymakers navigate heightened uncertainty stemming from the Middle East, where stalled US-Iran peace efforts and ongoing blockades in the Strait of Hormuz continue to push energy prices higher and elevate inflation risks.

Technology stocks led the advance, with gains from Lasertec (3%), Fujikura (2.2%), Advantest (1.5%), Ibiden Co (8.9%), and Tokyo Electron (0.8%).

For the week, the Nikkei 225 is on track to rise more than 1%, while the Topix is set to decline by over 1%.



News Stream
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Asian equity markets mostly declined on Friday as rising oil prices weighed on sentiment amid stalled US-Iran peace negotiations and continued disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The ongoing supply uncertainty has kept energy prices elevated, reinforcing concerns over inflation and global growth. Major Asian economies, including China, Japan, and South Korea, are heavily reliant on oil imports from the Middle East, leaving the region particularly exposed to developments in the Iran conflict. Shares in Australia, South Korea, Hong Kong, and China all traded lower. Japanese equities showed a mixed performance, as investors digested inflation data that remained below the Bank of Japan’s 2% target ahead of its policy meeting next week.
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The Nikkei 225 Index rose 0.6% toward 59,500 on Friday, while the broader Topix Index gained 0.4% to 3,730, recovering part of the previous session’s losses as investors assessed fresh inflation data ahead of next week’s Bank of Japan policy decision. Japan’s core inflation accelerated for the first time in five months, driven by higher energy costs, though it remained below the BOJ’s 2% target. Markets widely expect the central bank to keep interest rates unchanged, as policymakers navigate heightened uncertainty stemming from the Middle East, where stalled US-Iran peace efforts and ongoing blockades in the Strait of Hormuz continue to push energy prices higher and elevate inflation risks. Technology stocks led the advance, with gains from Lasertec (3%), Fujikura (2.2%), Advantest (1.5%), Ibiden Co (8.9%), and Tokyo Electron (0.8%). For the week, the Nikkei 225 is on track to rise more than 1%, while the Topix is set to decline by over 1%.
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