FX.co ★ Japanese Shares Jump on Trade Optimism

The Nikkei 225 Index experienced a significant uptick, advancing by 1.35% to conclude the session at 34,377, while the more comprehensive Topix Index ascended by 1.29% to reach 2,530 on Thursday. This movement marked a recovery from the losses sustained in the prior session, largely influenced by the progress in trade negotiations between the United States and Japan, which buoyed market sentiment. President Donald Trump's meeting with Japan's Economy Minister Ryosei Akazawa reportedly expanded to address issues such as troop hosting costs, introducing a geopolitical element to the trade discussions. From an economic perspective, Japan's export growth in March did not meet expectations, primarily due to diminished demand from China and the European Union. Nevertheless, a rebound in import growth indicated robust domestic demand, underpinning a positive outlook for the overall market. The uptick was notably driven by key players such as Kawasaki Heavy, which soared by 7.1%, alongside notable gains from Disco Corp at 2.1%, IHI Corp at 5.6%, Advantest at 3.5%, and Mitsubishi UFJ at 2.3%.