At the opening of the afternoon session in Tokyo, the Nikkei Average was around ¥250 higher than the previous day, extending its gains from the morning-session close. The exchange rate was in the lower ¥159 range to the dollar, while major Asian stock markets were generally mixed and South Korea's KOSPI rose sharply.
Immediately after the afternoon session opened in the Tokyo stock market, the Nikkei Stock Average was around ¥250 higher than the previous business day, extending its gains from the morning-session close. There were signs that domestic and overseas investors were again showing a stronger appetite for risk.
In the foreign exchange market, USD/JPY changed from the upper ¥155 range to around ¥159, and currency-market volatility may be affecting share prices. Tokyo market participants continued to assess the market's direction in response to overseas market trends.
While other Asian markets were reportedly mixed, South Korea's KOSPI rose sharply, confirming a regional move toward greater risk appetite. By contrast, developments in other markets could also affect Japan's long-term market trend.