The Nikkei 225 Index slipped 0.17% to close at 64,214 on Thursday, while the broader Topix Index rose 0.5% to 4,102 in mixed trading. Japanese equities lacked clear direction as the yen strengthened sharply amid speculation that authorities had conducted a rate check. A stronger yen typically pressures earnings prospects for Japan’s export-oriented sectors and makes domestic assets more expensive for overseas investors.
At the same time, the market drew some support from a pullback in oil prices after President Donald Trump indicated that the latest attacks on Iran would be short-lived. Global bond yields also eased from recent highs as investors continued to reassess the outlook for inflation and interest rates.
Among individual stocks, notable declines were seen in technology names including Advantest (-0.8%), Fujikura (-2.7%), and Ibiden (-2.4%). In contrast, financial shares advanced, with Mitsubishi UFJ up 1.9%, Sumitomo Mitsui gaining 1.7%, and Mizuho Financial rising 0.7%.