Nikkei 225 starts the afternoon session 778 yen higher, with Tokyo Electron and Mitsubishi UFJ among the gainers: Afternoon session opening overview (Fisco)

The Nikkei 225 started the afternoon session at ¥66,292.48, narrowing its advance from the level at the morning close, while Nikkei 225 futures traded in a range of ¥66,030-¥66,140. The dollar-yen rate was in the mid-¥158 range, and Asian markets were generally quiet. As long-term interest rates continued to rise, caution spread, while buying interest in semiconductor-related and financial stocks continued.

By sector, banking, securities and commodity futures, and other financial services ranked among the top gainers, while information and communications, construction, and real estate ranked among the top decliners. Stocks among the top by trading value on the TSE Prime Market included Komatsu, IBIDEN, Mizuho, Japan Post Bank, Tokyo Electron and SCREEN Holdings.

Tokyo Electron continued to rise sharply after the morning session, while dividend-rights buying also appeared to be in focus ahead of the 28th, the last trading day with rights to the interim dividends of companies with March fiscal year-ends.

At the afternoon opening, movements among TSE Prime Market stocks were active as the Nikkei 225's gain narrowed slightly from the morning close.

In response to the day's movements, Fisco identified the Nikkei 225's contribution by stock and key points of focus for the afternoon session.