The Nikkei 225 Index Closes 0.17% Lower

The Nikkei 225 Index fell 0.17% to close at 64,214 while the broader Topix Index gained 0.5% to 4,102 in mixed trade on Thursday, with Japanese shares lacking clear direction as the yen strengthened sharply amid speculation that authorities had conducted a rate check. A stronger yen weighs on the earnings outlook for Japan’s export-heavy industries and makes domestic assets more expensive for foreign investors. Meanwhile, equities found some support from a pullback in oil prices after President Donald Trump said the latest attacks on Iran would be short-lived. Global bond yields also retreated from recent highs as investors continued to assess the inflation and interest rate outlook. Among individual stocks, notable losses were recorded in tech firms such as Advantest (-0.8%), Fujikura (-2.7%) and Ibiden Co (-2.4%), while financial stocks gained, including Mitsubishi UFJ (1.9%), Sumitomo Mitsui (1.7%) and Mizuho Financial (0.7%).

The Nikkei 225 Index decreased 107 points or 0.17 percent on Thursday to close at 64219 points. The decline was led by Citizen Holdings (-4.14%), Casio Computer (-3.74%) and Inpex (-3.48%). On the upside, the strongest performers were Nitori Holdings (7.45%), Sumitomo Heavy Inds. (5.44%) and Toho Zinc (5.23%).

The Nikkei 225 Index rose 0.4% to above 64,500 while the broader Topix Index climbed 1.2% to 4,130 on Thursday, recouping some losses from the previous session and tracking gains on Wall Street overnight as a pullback in global bond yields provided some relief. Oil prices also halted their rally after President Donald Trump said the latest attacks on Iran would be short-lived, easing inflation concerns. Meanwhile, traders kept a close watch on the yen after it rallied sharply amid speculation of a rate check and possible intervention by authorities. A stronger yen weighs on the earnings outlook for Japan’s export-heavy industries and makes domestic assets more expensive for foreign investors. Financial stocks led the rebound, with notable gains from Mitsubishi UFJ (2.6%), Sumitomo Mitsui (2.7%) and Mizuho Financial (2.3%).