Japanese Shares Jump on Trade Deal Optimism
Japanese equities surged on Tuesday, with the Nikkei 225 rallying 6.03% to close at 33,012 and the broader Topix Index jumping 6.26% to 2,432, as investors welcomed signs of easing trade tensions between Japan and the US. The rebound followed news that US President Donald Trump agreed to hold trade talks with Japanese officials after a phone call with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that Japan would likely be prioritized for tariff relief due to its prompt engagement. Meanwhile, Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato pledged to take all necessary steps to mitigate the impact of US tariffs, including potential financial support for affected domestic firms. Financial stocks led the rally, with standout performances from Mitsubishi UFJ (10.9%), Sumitomo Mitsui (10.9%), and Mizuho Financial (13.5%). Automakers, consumer, and tech shares also posted strong gains, including Toyota Motor (7.2%), Sony Group (7.0%), and Tokyo Electron (8.7%).
Source: Trading Economi