-- Japanese shares closed higher on Thursday and Japanese government bonds gained as investors returned from holidays, tracking improved global risk sentiment driven by upbeat tech earnings and easing concerns over the Middle East conflict.
The Nikkei 225 surged 5.6%, or 3,320.72 points, to close at 62,833.84.
Japanese government bonds gained after a three-day market holiday, while the yen held near 156 per dollar following recent gains fueled by suspected intervention by Tokyo authorities.
Investor sentiment also improved after Wall Street hit record highs on strong AI-driven earnings, including from Advanced Micro Devices, and as Iran reviewed a U.S. proposal to end the conflict in the Middle East.
On the domestic front, Bank of Japan policymakers discussed further rate hikes if oil shocks from the Iran conflict persist and fuel broader inflation, minutes from the bank's March 18-19 meeting showed Thursday. Several board members warned prolonged energy-driven price pressures and rising inflation expectations could require tighter policy, while the BOJ maintained rates at 0.75%.
On the corporate front, Tosoh (TYO:4042) jumped 12% after the company's plans to mass-produce high-speed plastic optical cables for AI data centers by 2029.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (TYO:7011) fell over 1% as the company is revamping gas turbine production to increase output while limiting capital spending. Meanwhile, Konica Minolta (TYO:4902) gained 3% on plans to commercialize an AI-based microbe selection system for food production by March 2029.