Asia
Japan Shares Tumble After BOJ Warns of Broader Summer Price Increases
Japanese shares ended sharply lower on Friday following the Bank of Japan warned that rising energy costs linked to the Middle East conflict could trigger another broad-based round of price increases around summer, raising concerns that persistent inflation may weigh on consumer spending and corporate margins.The Nikkei 225 fell 1.99%, or 1,244.76 points, to close at 61,409.29.Japanese service-sector firms are accelerating price increases as rising raw material, labour and energy costs squeeze margins, with some companies planning further hikes around summer, the Bank of Japan said in a regional survey report, according to Reuters.The BOJ said food makers, restaurants and hot spring operators were among firms moving more quickly to pass on higher costs linked partly to the Middle East conflict.Japan's producer price index rose 4.9% on year in April, the fastest pace in three years, and gained 2.3% from March, driven by higher chemical prices, up 9.2%, as well as beverages and food prices, up 4.1%.The central bank also said companies are raising prices faster than during the 2022 cost surge following the Ukraine war, as firms have become more accustomed to passing on higher expenses.On the corporate front, Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg (TYO:4116) rose 1% after saying it will carry out a group-wide restructuring to improve profitability and growth potential, including reviewing non-core businesses, streamlining operations and reorganising production sites, while targeting ROE of 9% and ROA of 5% over the longer term.Key Coffee (TYO:2594) fell 1% after outlining plans to raise ROE to 3% in fiscal 2027 and 5% by fiscal 2030, even as fiscal 2025 net income attributable to owners of parent climbed to 988 million yen from 214 million yen and net sales rose to 93.07 billion yen from 77.78 billion yen.Remixpoint (TYO:3825) slipped 1% after saying it will transfer its electricity retail business to a wholly owned subsidiary through an absorption-type company split effective Oct. 1, aiming to strengthen risk management and speed up decision-making amid volatile energy markets.
Nikkei 225TYO:2594TYO:3825TYO:4116
