FX.co ★ Japanese Shares Gain on Global Trade Optimism

The Nikkei 225 Index saw an increase of 0.8% to surpass 35,100, while the broader Topix Index rose by 0.7% to reach 2,602 on Thursday. This marked a consecutive day of growth for Japanese stocks, which mirrored the upward trajectory of Wall Street. The upbeat market sentiment was bolstered by comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, indicating a more lenient approach towards China tariffs. Additionally, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mentioned the potential for a "significant agreement" on trade between the U.S. and China. Investors were also attentive to progress in the ongoing trade discussions between the U.S. and Japan. On the monetary policy front, it is widely anticipated that the Bank of Japan will maintain its benchmark interest rate at 0.5% during its upcoming meeting next week. Leading the charge were technology and consumer stocks, with significant gains seen in companies such as Tokyo Electron (up 3.3%), Advantest (up 3.2%), SoftBank Group (up 2.4%), Nintendo (up 3.9%), and Toyota Motor (up 2.2%).