News On Japan

Tokyo Market Jumps More Than 3.4% on U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes

TOKYO - The Nikkei Stock Average surged by more than 2,100 points at one stage in trading on May 21st, with the benchmark index continuing to trade above the 61,000 level in the Tokyo stock market.

One widely followed market analyst said previous support zones around 59,200 and 57,600 had proven to be "ideal buying opportunities," noting that the market rebounded sharply after falling more than 1,000 points before staging another rapid rally of over 1,000 points.

The analyst described the recent volatility as a successful "V-shaped recovery," telling viewers that traders who had followed earlier predictions were able to benefit from the rebound.

Despite the strong short-term rise, the analyst warned that the Nikkei may soon enter a temporary retest phase after the rapid advance. Attention is now focused on whether the index can break through a key resistance line near the previous selling zone.

According to the analysis, a decisive move above the resistance area could open the way for another rally toward the 63,600 to 64,000 range over the coming days or weeks. However, the market is also expected to face renewed selling pressure around the 62,200 to 62,500 level.

The strategist said the market remains in an upward channel for now and argued that the bullish outlook remains intact as long as the Nikkei stays above the 60,400 support level. A drop below 59,500, however, could trigger another sell-off toward 57,600.

The commentary also highlighted growing enthusiasm among short-term traders, particularly in technology-related shares following Nvidia’s record quarterly earnings, which helped fuel optimism across global equity markets.

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Japan's government is moving toward abolishing the Cool Japan Fund, a public-private investment vehicle created to support the overseas expansion of Japanese anime, food culture and other industries, after its cumulative losses reached 54 billion yen.

Four workers were killed after being struck by the limited express train Spacia X while carrying out vegetation-clearing work at Shin-Kanuma Station on the Tobu Nikko Line in Kanuma, Tochigi Prefecture, on August 20, prompting an investigation by the Japan Transport Safety Board.

Typhoon No. 18 (Soudelor) is forecast to intensify into a "very strong" typhoon over the weekend as it moves westward from waters near the Caroline Islands, with the storm potentially approaching the Nansei Islands and Daito Islands early next week. As of 4 p.m. on August 20, the typhoon was located far south of Japan and was moving west at about 20 kilometers per hour.

Plans to bring Shinkansen service to Shikoku have taken a significant step forward for the first time in 53 years, with the transport ministry beginning preliminary studies that could eventually cut travel times from Osaka to major cities including Tokushima, Takamatsu and Matsuyama to around 90 minutes.

A Takenaka Corp. construction manager who oversaw work on the Grand Ring and other facilities at the Osaka-Kansai Expo was arrested on August 19 on suspicion of causing more than 13 million yen in losses to the major contractor through inflated construction bills, with police investigating allegations that money from the scheme was used for renovations to his home and a cafe operated by relatives.

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Tokyo stocks fell sharply on August 19, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 65,326.42, down 3.2%, its lowest finish since August 4, as renewed selling in artificial intelligence and semiconductor-related shares combined with rising bond yields, higher oil prices and geopolitical concerns to trigger a broad risk-off move.