-- 據法新社報道，伊朗最高領袖哈梅內伊週四表示，美國遭遇了“可恥的失敗”，並駁斥了川普關於海上封鎖可能持續數月的警告。 在緊張局勢升級的背景下，油價一度飆升至四年來的最高點，隨後有所回落。自2月衝突爆發以來，伊朗一直控制著霍爾木茲海峽的航運。 哈梅內伊在國家電視台發表的聲明中表示，波斯灣正在開啟“新篇章”，並聲稱地區大國不再需要外部幹預，警告稱外國勢力在該地區“沒有立足之地”。 美國國務院一位官員告訴法新社，美國兩週前封鎖了伊朗港口，目前正在努力建立國際聯盟，以確保霍爾木茲海峽的航行安全，同時繼續向德黑蘭施壓。
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Tokyo Inflation Hits Four-Year Low as Oil, Yen Cloud Outlook
Tokyo inflation lost momentum again, underscoring the Bank of Japan's dilemma as price pressures build unevenly. Core consumer prices in the capital rose 1.5% in April, the slowest pace in four years and below the central bank's 2% target for a third straight month.The reading marked a fifth consecutive slowdown and came in under market expectations. A narrower gauge that strips out both fresh food and energy, which is also closely watched by policymakers, increased 1.9%, also easing from the prior month.The softer print partly reflects government fuel subsidies and one-off factors such as a sharp drop in nursery school fees, alongside moderating gains in durable goods and processed food. Energy prices continued to decline, though at a slower pace.Still, the calm may not last. Rising oil prices tied to the Middle East conflict and a weaker yen are expected to push up import costs in the months ahead.The outlook is already complicating policy decisions.The BOJ kept rates unchanged this week in a split decision, even as some officials leaned toward tightening. Governor Kazuo Ueda signaled flexibility, leaving room to wait as risks to growth intensify.Currency moves add another layer. Authorities stepped into the foreign exchange market to support the yen after it slid near 160 per dollar, highlighting concern that prolonged weakness could further inflate import bills."We expect the BOJ to guard against an inflation overshoot. That strengthens the case for a 25-basis-point hike in June, but the latest reading suggests it's far from certain," said Bloomberg economist Taro Kimura."The central bank is also watching uncertainty around the Iran war and the government's willingness to support growth amid a crude oil squeeze."
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Asia
Sony Financial Unit Ordered to Submit Reports Tied to Misconduct Handling, Customer Policy Review
Sony Financial (TYO:8729) said its unit, Sony Life Insurance, received an order from the Financial Services Agency to submit reports under the Insurance Business Act, according to a delayed Friday filing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.The order relates to the insurer's handling of misconduct cases and an ongoing review of customer policy status. Sony Financial said the impact on its consolidated earnings is unclear.Sony Life said it takes the order seriously and will work to strengthen controls, prevent misconduct and improve oversight of customer policies. It plans to report progress on its internal review by the end of May.
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US Markets
Tokyo Inflation Hits Four-Year Low as Oil, Yen Cloud Outlook
Tokyo inflation lost momentum again, underscoring the Bank of Japan's dilemma as price pressures build unevenly. Core consumer prices in the capital rose 1.5% in April, the slowest pace in four years and below the central bank's 2% target for a third straight month.The reading marked a fifth consecutive slowdown and came in under market expectations. A narrower gauge that strips out both fresh food and energy, which is also closely watched by policymakers, increased 1.9%, also easing from the prior month.The softer print partly reflects government fuel subsidies and one-off factors such as a sharp drop in nursery school fees, alongside moderating gains in durable goods and processed food. Energy prices continued to decline, though at a slower pace.Still, the calm may not last. Rising oil prices tied to the Middle East conflict and a weaker yen are expected to push up import costs in the months ahead."Core consumer inflation is likely to accelerate due to cost-push factors from the Middle East conflict, which will push up not just prices for energy but various items," Masato Koike, senior economist at Sompo Institute Plus, was quoted by Reuters as saying.The outlook is already complicating policy decisions.The BOJ kept rates unchanged this week in a split decision, even as some officials leaned toward tightening. Governor Kazuo Ueda signaled flexibility, leaving room to wait as risks to growth intensify.Currency moves add another layer. Authorities stepped into the foreign exchange market to support the yen after it slid near 160 per dollar, highlighting concern that prolonged weakness could further inflate import bills.
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