The Nikkei Average started the afternoon session up ¥260 at ¥61509.04. By sector, marine transportation and fisheries, agriculture and forestry, chemicals, and foods rose, while TOPIX gained 27.94 points.
The Nikkei Average started the afternoon session at ¥61509.04, up ¥260.45 from the previous day, and remained higher despite narrowing its gains from the morning close. Nikkei 225 futures traded within the lunchtime range, while dollar-yen was around ¥159.70-80, at roughly the same level as in the morning session. In Asian markets, the Shanghai Composite recovered somewhat from a slight decline, while the Hang Seng remained on a downward trend.
By sector, marine transportation and fisheries, agriculture and forestry, chemicals, and foods posted the largest gains, while services, transportation equipment, and retail were notable decliners. The leading stocks by trading value on the TSE Prime Market included Resonac, DOWA, SUMCO, JT, Shin-Etsu Chemical, Mitsubishi Electric, Disco, Tokyo Electron, NTT, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, most of which traded higher.
Individually, SUMCO and JT may have contributed to the afternoon gains, while Daifuku, Murata Manufacturing, and FANUC were also seen declining at times. Against a backdrop of firm Dow futures and the three-day advance through the previous day, the market is expected to remain cautious.