The Nikkei 225 opened the afternoon session approximately ¥710 above the previous day's level, recovering to the low ¥66,900s. Taiyo Yuden, NEC and other stocks attracted buying, with purchases concentrated in high-tech shares.
At the start of the afternoon session, the Nikkei 225 stood at ¥66,842.82, up ¥710.84 from the previous day, widening its gains from the morning close. Nikkei 225 futures traded within the range seen during the lunch break, while USD/JPY remained around ¥159.40, with the yen weaker and the dollar stronger. The Shanghai Composite edged higher, while the Hang Seng started lower but held firm and rose around 0.4%.
By sector, Other Products, Services and Electric Appliances ranked among the top gainers, while Other Financing Business, Rubber Products, Fishery and Agriculture & Forestry were among the leading decliners. Among stocks ranking high by trading value were Taiyo Yuden, Fujitsu, NEC, Toyo Engineering and Recruit Holdings, where buying led at the start of the afternoon session.
Attention is focused tonight on a speech by Fed Chair Warsh. As views spread that investors want to assess US interest rates and monetary policy developments, some investors held back from aggressive buying.