Nikkei Suddenly Weakens, What's Wrong with Japan?
Japanese stock markets weakened, with the Nikkei index falling 1.3% to 50,378.09. This pressure arose from concerns that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) could soon raise interest rates, coupled with still-strong US labor market data. This sentiment made investors more cautious and tended to reduce positions in risky assets.
Electronics and retail stocks were the most heavily sold. Renesas Electronics fell 4.3%, while Aeon Co. fell 2.4%, reflecting concerns that higher borrowing costs could depress consumption and investment. In the foreign exchange market, USD/JPY traded at 155.16, slightly weakening from 155.37 at the close of the Tokyo market on Thursday, indicating a slight shift in sentiment toward the yen.
Investors are now focused on Japanese economic data and policy measures from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to support economic growth. Any new signal from the government or the BOJ regarding the direction of interest rates could trigger further sharp movements in the Japanese stock market, so market participants are choosing to remain cautious while awaiting further clarity. (az)
Source: Newsmaker.id
