The Nikkei 225 rose 1.7% to climb above 53,300, while the broad-based TOPIX advanced 1.1% to 3,600 on Friday, recovering from the previous session’s losses amid optimism that the vital Strait of Hormuz could partially reopen. Reports indicated that Iran is drafting a protocol with Oman to monitor and coordinate tanker movements through the strait, which has effectively been closed since the conflict began. Under the proposal, transit would be placed under joint supervision and could involve the imposition of tolls on ships payable to Tehran.
Nonetheless, uncertainty persisted as oil prices continued to surge after Trump pledged to intensify the conflict in the coming weeks. Separately, Trump announced sweeping tariff changes, including 100% duties on certain branded pharmaceutical imports with broad exemptions, along with revisions to metals tariffs.
On the corporate front, notable gainers included Hitachi (up 3.1%), Tokyo Electron (3.1%), SoftBank Group (1.4%), Fast Retailing (1.9%), and Mitsubishi (1.2%).