FX.co ★ Japanese Shares Slip as Oil Surges

The Nikkei 225 Index fell 0.8% to below 56,500 on Monday, retracing part of last week’s gains as oil prices surged following the breakdown of US–Iran talks over the weekend in Islamabad. President Donald Trump also announced plans to impose a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz and is reportedly weighing renewed strikes on Iran, heightening fears of a broader escalation in the global energy crisis.

In Japan, the benchmark 10-year JGB yield climbed to around 2.49%, its highest level since 1997, as soaring energy costs reinforced expectations of an imminent rate hike by the Bank of Japan. Technology stocks led the downturn, with notable declines in Kioxia Holdings (-1.1%), Lasertec (-2.4%), Tokyo Electron (-3.5%), Advantest (-1%), and SoftBank Group (-1.3%). Major index heavyweights also weakened, including Sumitomo Electric (-2.4%), Fast Retailing (-1.1%), and Nintendo (-1.2%).