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Japanese stocks opened little changed as investors stayed cautious ahead of the Bank of Japan's interest rate decision.

International

Japan Core Machinery Orders Down 9.4% in March

Japan's core machinery orders received by the private sector fell seasonally adjusted 9.4% in March from the previous month, the Cabinet Office reported Thursday.Including volatile orders of ships and electric power companies, total orders by the private sector dropped 5.3%.The total country's machinery orders by 280 manufacturers increased on a seasonally adjusted 4.3% in March.Meanwhile, orders from manufacturing companies plummeted more than 14% in March, while non-manufacturing orders declined 6%, the report said.

Nikkei 225
International

Japan Private Sector Growth Hits Five-Month Low in May as Services Stagnate

Japan's private sector business activity expanded in May, though at the slowest rate observed in the past five months, according to the latest S&P Global Flash PMI data.The overall growth was driven exclusively by the manufacturing segment, as services activity showed no growth for the first time in over a year.Stockpiling due to the ongoing Middle East conflict-which continues to disrupt supply chains and drive up prices-partly explained the sustained rise in manufacturing output.At the composite level, average input costs climbed more sharply than at any point since October 2022, prompting businesses to raise their selling prices by the largest margin on record.Business confidence regarding output over the coming year stayed low, largely because of persistent geopolitical uncertainties.The seasonally adjusted S&P Global Flash Japan PMI Composite Output Index dropped from 52.2 in April to 51.1 in May, marking the 14th consecutive month of expansion but the weakest increase so far in 2026.Meanwhile, the flash Japan Services PMI Business Activity Index slipped to 50.0 from 51.0 in April.Total new business also rose at the slowest pace in five months, with modest gains in new orders across both manufacturing and services, while export business grew only slightly as stronger foreign demand for goods offset a sharp drop in overseas services sales.Intense cost pressures persisted in May, with input costs rising at the fastest pace since late 2022 due to Middle East-driven supply disruptions and raw material shortages, hitting manufacturers harder than service providers.In response, Japanese companies raised their selling prices again, resulting in the steepest rate of charge inflation in nearly 19 years of data collection, though the increase remained slower than that of input costs.The flash Manufacturing PMI for Japan dipped to 54.5 in May from April's 55.1, while the Output Index within that sector also fell to 54.1 compared to the previous month's reading of 55.1.Job growth slowed to a seven-month low and stayed modest, while backlogs rose slightly faster-particularly in manufacturing due to higher sales and supplier shortages.Optimism edged up to a three-month high, though concerns over the Middle East conflict and its inflationary impact remained historically subdued.

Nikkei 225
International

Japan's Trade Surplus Steady in April as Energy Imports Plummet

Japan maintains a trade surplus as energy imports plunged in April, according to the Finance Ministry's Thursday provisional report.The nation posted an unadjusted trade surplus of 301.91 billion yen for April as the value of exports climbed 14.8% year-on-year, while the import value increased by 9.7%.Imports of petroleum declined nearly 50% in April, contributing to a 19.3% decline in overall mineral fuel imports, as Japan, heavily reliant on Middle Eastern oil, reduced its energy purchases following the effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz.Meanwhile, exports to Japan's two largest trading partners, China and the U.S., grew 15.5% and 9.5%, respectively. Imports from the two countries also posted double-digit growth.

Nikkei 225
Asia

Japanese Stocks Climb as Middle East Fears Ease

Japanese shares rose at Thursday's market open as optimism surrounding U.S.-Iran negotiations reduced fears over Middle East instability.The Nikkei 225 gained 570.4 points or 1% to open at 60,374.84.Iran is currently reviewing a new draft from the U.S., with President Masoud Pezeshkian saying on X that his country has "explored every avenue to avert war," adding that "all paths remain open from our side."The world's most valuable stock, Nvidia, unveiled a forecast of $91 billion in sales for the quarter ending in July, better than analysts had anticipated.At home, Japan maintains a trade surplus as energy imports plummet in April.According to the Finance Ministry's Thursday report, Japan posted an unadjusted trade surplus of 301.9 billion yen for April as the value of exports climbed 14.8% year-on-year while import value increased by 9.7%.

Nikkei 225
Asia

Market Chatter: Japan Sees Sufficient Summer Power Supply; Expects No Conservation Requests

Japan is expected to have sufficient electricity to handle peak summer demand, Bloomberg News reported Thursday, citing the government's latest assessment of the power supply situation.Documents from a trade ministry meeting scheduled for Wednesday indicate that no power conservation requests will be issued to households or businesses, as all regions are projected to have ample supply, the news wire said.Japan measures spare electricity capacity using the power reserve ratio, with a 3% buffer considered the minimum requirement, and the Tokyo area is forecast to see its lowest ratio of 3.5% during the first half of August, the publication said.Authorities plan to keep a close watch on conditions and introduce additional measures on the supply side if necessary, the report said.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Nikkei 225
Japanese Manufacturers' Confidence Recovers Slightly in May But Could Sour in August, Reuters Tankan Survey Shows
US Markets

Japanese Manufacturers' Confidence Recovers Slightly in May But Could Sour in August, Reuters Tankan Survey Shows

Japanese manufacturers' confidence recovered slightly in May following a drop in commodities due to the impact of the war in Iran, according to the Reuters Tankan survey.Sentiment grew to plus 8 in May from plus 7 in April, according to the poll, which is an indicator of the quarterly Bank of Japan's Tankan business survey.The indicator was still way below the plus 18 reading in March, which grew to a four-year high on a boost in the chemicals, petroleum and semiconductor sectors.The index for the materials industries recovered to a reading of plus 5 in May from minus 3 in April, according to Reuters.Chemicals swung to a plus 6 reading from minus 8, while the steel and nonferrous materials sector returned to zero from minus 25."Front-loaded demand due to the Middle East situation" helped boost manufacturers' bullish view, the report said, citing a chemicals company manager.Overall factory sentiment rebound stayed lukewarm, with transport machinery falling by half to plus 10 in May from plus 20 in April, which one survey respondent attributed to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.Food processors' optimism plunged to a six-year low of minus 40 from minus 25, while the textiles, paper, and pulp index declined to minus 22 from zero.Manufacturers' forecast sentiment to sour further. The index is seen to fall to plus 5 in August due to an uncertain outlook on the Iran war and its supply chain impact, Reuters said.Non-manufacturers' sentiment decreased to plus 29 in May from plus 31 in the previous month amid a drop in real estate and construction, as well as in general services.Reuters conducted the poll from May 1 to 15, covering 492 major non-financial companies, with 220 responding anonymously.

Nikkei 225
International

Oil, Interest Rates, Geopolitics Undercut Asian Stock Markets

Asian stock markets largely declined Wednesday as tech issues again waffled, and traders weighed prospects for peace in the Persian Gulf.Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Tokyo finished in the red, as did most other regional exchanges.In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened lower and declined thereafter, closing down 1.2%, marking the fifth-straight trading day in the red.The benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 746.18 to 59,804.41, as losing issues outnumbered gainers 181 to 42.Leading the upside was industrial conglomerate UBE, up 20.9% after disclosing plans to boost dividends, while machine tool manufacturer Okuma declined 10%.In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened lower and could not recover, closing down 0.6% on the uncertain Middle East outlook, and as interest rates edged up.The broad gauge Hang Seng fell 146.73 to 25,651.12, as losing issues outnumbered gainers 60 to 30. The Hang Seng TECH Index gained 0.3 % on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index fell 1.3%.Leading the upside was Semiconductor Manufacturing International, gaining 9.7%, while Laopu Gold declined 6.9%.On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite fell 0.2% to 4,162.18.On the other regional exchanges, the South Korean KOSPI fell 0.9%; the Taiwan TWSE declined 0.4%; the Australian ASX 200 declined 1.3%; the Singapore Straits Times Index fell 0.5%, and the Thai Set advanced 0.8%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was up 0.1%The MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index fell 0.7% on the day.In other news, Bank Indonesia raised its benchmark interest rate by 0.50% to 5.25%, citing a need to strengthen the rupiah, the nation's currency.

Hang SengNikkei 225Shanghai Composite
Asia

Japanese Shares Extend Losses to Close Lower on Wednesday On Weak Global Sentiment

Japanese equities closed in the red after a weak trading session on Wednesday, tracking the negative sentiment in the global markets over concerns about rising inflation, extended a selloff in U.S. government bonds, and pushed yields to multi-year highs.The Nikkei 225 closed down 795.20 points or 1.3%, at 59,755.39.According to media reports, on Tuesday, yields on the 30-year Treasuries hit levels last seen in 2007, as investors are spooked that energy costs may lead to the US Federal Reserve hiking interest rates.To boost the domestic economy, the Japanese government is poised to issue guidelines encouraging startups to see acquisitions as a viable alternative to IPOs, according to a Nikkei Asia report on Wednesday.Also, sentiment among Japanese factory managers improved slightly in May, driven by a recovery in commodity-linked industries from a contraction the previous month caused by the Iran war.However, weakness in the automotive sector and several other industries prevented a stronger rebound, according to the Reuters Tankan poll.On the corporate side, Daiwa Securities Group (TYO:8601) closed down over 1%, after the news that it is acquiring a 10% voting interest in Ireland-based aircraft lessor Airborne Capital by buying common shares from existing shareholders, subscribing for subordinated notes, and obtaining warrants that could allow it to increase its interest to 20%.Also, TDK (TYO:6762)'s shares closed lower by 1%, after its subsidiary Amperex Technology (Singapore) agreed to acquire a 100% stake in Malaysia's Linergy Power for $241.1 million.

Nikkei 225TYO:6762TYO:8601
Asia

Market Chatter: Japan to Urge Startups to Consider M&As as Alternative For IPOs

The Japanese government will soon issue guidelines encouraging startups to see acquisitions as a viable alternative to IPOs, Nikkei Asia reported Wednesday.The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry developed these guidelines based on expert discussions that began in 2025, and while they are not legally binding, they are expected to become industry standard practice, the news daily said.The guidelines recommend that startups develop strategies open to both early-stage acquisitions and IPOs, including paying attention to veto power granted during equity fundraising, the publication said.The guidelines caution against granting certain shareholders veto rights, warning that concentrated veto power could stall or derail acquisition negotiations, the report said.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Nikkei 225
International

Japanese Factory Sentiment Improves Modestly in May but Auto Sector Weakness Caps Rebound, Reuters Tankan Shows

Sentiment among Japanese factory managers improved slightly in May, driven by a recovery in commodity-linked industries from a contraction the previous month caused by the Iran war.However, weakness in the automotive sector and several other industries prevented a stronger rebound, according to the Reuters Tankan poll.The monthly survey, which serves as a leading indicator for the Bank of Japan's quarterly Tankan, showed manufacturers' sentiment edging up to plus 8 in May from April's plus 7, though this remained well below March's four-year high of plus 18.Materials industries showed improvement, with their index rising to plus 5 from minus 3, while chemicals recovered to plus 6 from minus 8 and steel and nonferrous metals climbed to a zero reading from minus 25.A chemicals company manager attributed the optimistic outlook to "front-loaded demand due to the Middle East situation," and a ceramics firm respondent noted a similar pattern.The transport machinery sector, encompassing Japan's automakers and their extensive supplier network, saw its confidence halve to plus 10 from plus 20, extending a sharp decline from plus 36 in March.Food processors remained the weakest manufacturing segment, with their index falling to a six-year low of minus 40 from minus 25, while the textiles, paper and pulp index dropped to minus 22 from zero.Non-manufacturing sentiment slipped to plus 29 in May from plus 31 in April, weighed down by a 10-point decline in real estate and construction and a 6-point drop in general services, though retailers grew more optimistic while wholesalers soured.Looking ahead, manufacturers expect sentiment to weaken further to plus 5 by August, reflecting growing uncertainty over the Iran war's trajectory and supply chain fallout, while non-manufacturers also forecast a decline to plus 18.The poll, conducted from May 1 to 15, surveyed 492 major non-financial firms with 220 anonymous responses, with indexes calculated by subtracting the percentage of pessimistic respondents from optimistic ones, where positive figures indicate net optimism.

Nikkei 225
Asia

Japanese Stocks Open Lower Amid Renewed Inflation Fears, Geopolitical Tensions

Japanese equities showed little movement at the start of trading on Wednesday, as escalating concerns over inflation extended a selloff in U.S. government bonds and pushed yields to multi-year highs.The Nikkei 225 opened marginally lower with a negative bias at 60,567.27.On the geopolitical front, US President Donald Trump threatened to resume strikes on Iran within days as part of efforts to secure a deal to end the war, while NATO is discussing potential assistance for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz if the strategic waterway remains closed beyond early July.Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama told reporters in Paris on Tuesday that her G-7 counterparts understand Japan's position, pledging to take bold action as necessary to support the yen.Separately, Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda reiterated at the same press conference that he will continue conducting monetary policy aimed at achieving stable inflation while closely monitoring upside risks.

Nikkei 225
Asia

Market Chatter: Development Bank of Japan Targets to Provide 3 Trillion Yen in Risk Capital

The state-backed Development Bank of Japan aims to provide 3 trillion yen in risk capital over five years to fund supply chain shifts and industry consolidation, Nikkei reported Wednesday, citing President Seiji Jige.The medium-term plan through fiscal 2030, released Tuesday, includes equity, real estate, infrastructure, and mezzanine financing-a debt-equity hybrid, the news portal said.Compared to the previous plan spanning fiscal 2023 to 2025, this represents an increase of just over 10% in average annual investment, the publication said.Seiji Jige told Nikkei that while the bank's investments have traditionally targeted exits in roughly five years, it may now need to hold them for a decade or more at companies' request.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Nikkei 225
Asia

Market Chatter: Japan Vows Bold Intervention to Support Yen As Needed

Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama told reporters in Paris that her G-7 counterparts understand Japan's stance and that she will take bold action as needed to support the yen, Bloomberg News reported Wednesday.Her remarks followed the first G-7 meeting since Japan's suspected yen-buying interventions began late last month, with the communique reaffirming that excess currency volatility can harm economies, the news wire said.Following Katayama's remarks, the yen strengthened to around 158.82 against the dollar, recovering from its weakest level since the government last intervened on April 30, the publication said.Separately, Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda reiterated at the same press conference that he will continue conducting monetary policy to secure stable inflation while watching for upside risks, the report said.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Nikkei 225
Asia

Market Chatter: Japanese Banks Confront a Historic Shift as Loan Growth Outpaces Deposits

Japanese banks are facing an unprecedented challenge as loan growth now exceeds deposit growth, reversing a decades-long trend driven by deflation and cash hoarding, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing industry officials.A surge in borrowing, fueled by rising corporate capital investment and larger buyout deals, pushed outstanding loans up 5.4% year-on-year in April, while deposits grew only 1.9%, the news wire said.This imbalance could potentially restrain lending and force banks to seek more expensive alternative funding sources, the publication said.Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (TYO:8316) CEO Toru Nakashima said lenders must become more selective, a stark contrast to the past when abundant deposits allowed aggressive lending, the report said.A senior official from Japan's Financial Services Agency noted that the regulator is closely watching this trend, as it was not a major concern until recently, it added.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Nikkei 225TYO:8316
International

Japan's Tertiary Industry Index Slips 0.2% in March

Japan's tertiary industry activity index slipped 0.2% in March, an improvement from the 0.4% contraction in February, reported the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) on Tuesday.On an annual basis, the index climbed 2.6%.The seasonally adjusted March index for broad-range personal services slid 0.7% in March from February, but was up 1.5% on year.The seasonally adjusted broad-range business services index gained 0.4% in March from the month prior, and rose 3.3% on year.

Nikkei 225
International

Japan's Revised Industrial Production Index Slips 0.4% On Month

Japan's industrial production index (IPI) slipped on a seasonally adjusted 0.4% month on month in March, revised data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on Friday showed.On a year-on-year basis, the index gained 2.4%, better than the preliminary reading of 2.3% year-over-year increase.Shipments slid on a seasonally adjusted 0.9% month-on-month, while inventories fell 1.8%.On a year-on-year basis, shipments rose 2.2% whille inventories dropped 5.3%.

Nikkei 225
International

Persian Gulf Outlook Roils Asian Stock MarKets

Asian stock markets turned in a choppy Tuesday, as traders weighed evolving media reports regarding Persian Gulf hostilities and softer oil prices.Brent oil futures eased lower by 1.7%, to $110.22 a barrel, during Asian market hours.Hong Kong and Shanghai gained ground, while Tokyo finished in the red. Other regional exchanges were choppy.In Japan, the Nikkei 225 traded higher on a strong economic report, but finished off 0.4% as tech issues sagged, following softness in US peer issues.The benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 265.36 to 60,550.59, as losing issues outnumbered gainers 156 to 67.Leading the upside was video-game maker Konami, up 9.2%, while electronic-products maker Fujikura fell 17%.In economic news, Japan's Q1 gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 0.5%, or at a 2.1% annual rate, reported the Cabinet Office.In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened evenly and gained in trading, closing up 0.5% as traders weighed Middle East outlooks and supported tech shares.The broad gauge Hang Seng rose 122.67 to 25,797.85, as gaining issues outnumbered losers 45 to 43. The Hang Seng TECH Index rose 0.3% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index fell 0.5%.Leading the upside was state oil-giant CNOOC, gaining 3%, while Li Auto declined 4.3%.On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.9% to 4,169.54.On the other regional exchanges, the S. Korean KOSPI fell 3.3%; the Taiwan TWSE declined 1.8%; the Australian ASX 200 inclined 1.2%; the Singapore Straits Times Index rose 1.5%, and the Thai Set declined 0.1%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was down 0.2%.The MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index fell 0.6% on the day.

Hang SengNikkei 225Shanghai Composite
Japan Industrial Production Slips in March; Still Up on Year
US Markets

Japan Industrial Production Slips in March; Still Up on Year

Japan's industrial output slipped in March from February but was still up from a year-earlier level, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) reported Tuesday.Japan's industrial output fell a seasonally adjusted 0.5% in March from February, but gained 2.4% on year on year, said METI.In March, industrial shipments in Japan declined 0.9% on month, but rose 2.2% on year.Industrial inventories in March fell 1.8% in March from February, and also fell 5.3% on year, according to officials.Japan's industrial production capacity was unchanged in March from February, but declined 1.2% on year.Japan's industrial operating ratio, also called a capacity utilization rate, slipped 1.2% on month in March but was up 4.2% on year, added METI.Of interest, given the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in early March to oil-tanker traffic, is Japan's production of petroleum and coal products, which fell 7.7% in March from February, and declined 1.3% on year, reported METI.Similarly, chemical production, which relies heavily on petroleum inputs, fell 1.2% in March from February, and was flat on year, according to METI.Japan relies on the Middle East for 95% of its crude oil, much of which transits through the Strait of Hormuz.Somewhat in contrast, Japan's motor vehicle production was flat on month in March, but up 7% on year.The METI March industrial production release was more subdued than a recent manufacturing-sector report from S&P Global.The headline Japan manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) rose to 55.1 in April from 51.6 in March "to signal a stronger improvement in the health of the sector," reported S&P Global in early May. Reading above 50 indicate an expanding sector, while below points to contraction.Separately, Japan's index of tertiary industry activity, a gauge of the nation's services sector, fell a seasonally adjusted 0.2% in March from February, but was up 2.6% on year, reported METI on Tuesday.

Nikkei 225
Asia

Market Chatter: Japan and South Korea to Agree on Joint Oil Reserve Framework

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will discuss at their summit to set up a joint crude oil procurement framework, including a shared reserve, Nikkei Asia reported Tuesday.Takaichi's two-day South Korea visit is part of ongoing shuttle diplomacy, with the Middle East situation likely topping the leaders' agenda, the news agency said.The joint reserve initiative will fall under the POWERR Asia framework, an energy cooperation scheme with Southeast Asia that Takaichi announced in April, designed to help develop petroleum supply systems in countries with limited reserves, the publication said.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Nikkei 225
Asia

Japanese Shares Shed Early Gains, Close Lower as Investors Remain Cautious Over Middle East Crisis

Japanese stocks lost early momentum to close in the red on Tuesday despite having a strong start amid caution relating to the Middle East crisis.Asian equities showed mixed movement on Tuesday, as media reports suggest that investors are still skeptical about the relief provided by the easing of oil prices and President Donald Trump's decision to call off fresh military strikes against Iran, which raised hopes for a peace deal and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.The Nikkei 225 closed down 265.36 points or 0.4% at 60,550.59.The bourse had opened on a positive note, lifted by the optimism in the local market after Japan's economy grew faster than expected in the first quarter, supporting further rate hikes by the Bank of Japan.According to a Cabinet Office report released Tuesday, real GDP grew at an annualized rate of 2.1% in the January-March period - before the full effects of the war in Iran began to materialize.On the corporate side, shares of JX Advanced Metals (TYO:5016) closed down nearly 5% after the company finalized the terms of its two tranches of zero-coupon convertible bonds due in 2029 and 2031.Also, Daiwa Securities (TYO:8601) shares closed up nearly 2% after a Nikkei Asia report said the company plans to allocate 100 billion yen into battery storage facilities by 2030.

Nikkei 225TYO:5016TYO:8601

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