The Nikkei 225 fell 1.45% to close at 42,649, while the broader Topix dropped 1.1% to 3,058 on Thursday, as Japanese stocks pulled back from record highs amid profit taking. The market had rallied earlier in the week after softer US inflation data boosted expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut next month.
A strong earnings season in Japan and an improving global trade outlook also added to bullish sentiment. On the policy front, the Bank of Japan faces mounting pressure to abandon an inflation gauge tied to domestic demand and wage growth that has so far restrained further tightening.
Governor Kazuo Ueda has maintained a cautious stance, noting that "underlying inflation" remains below the BOJ's 2% target. Major decliners included Mitsubishi Heavy (-5.7%), Advantest (-4.6%), Disco (-2.8%), Tokyo Electron (-2%), and Sony Group (-1.5%). In contrast, SoftBank Group jumped 4.4% to fresh record highs.
Source : Trading Economics
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