Japanese Shares Close Higher as Trump Eases Fed Tensions; Seven & i Slumps 9% as Couche-Tard Drops Bid
Japanese shares closed higher on Thursday as markets steadied after U.S. President Donald Trump said he was "highly unlikely" to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
The Nikkei 225 rose 0.6%, or 237.79 points, to end at 39,901.19.
Trump said he is not planning to terminate Powell but left the option open, renewing criticism over the Fed's reluctance to cut interest rates.
Trump dismissed reports of Powell's removal but confirmed discussing the idea with Republican lawmakers, citing frustration over a costly Fed building renovation, though no fraud has been found.
At home, Japan's exports fell 0.5% in June, down for a second month as U.S. tariffs hit trade.
Shipments to the U.S. dropped 12.6% and to China 4.7%, while overall imports rose 0.2%, narrowing the trade surplus to 153.1 billion yen.
On the corporate front, Alimentation Couche-Tard withdrew its 2,600 yen-per-share offer for Seven & i Holdings, citing poor engagement and limited due diligence access despite an NDA.
Source : MT Newswires
