This file photo shows the Tokyo Stock Exchange. (Mainichi)
TOKYO (Kyodo) — Tokyo stocks were mixed Wednesday morning, weighed down by selling after overnight falls on Wall Street but supported by hopes for easing trade tensions between the United States and China.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 16.91 points, or 0.05 percent, from Friday to 36,813.78. The broader Topix index was up 10.41 points, or 0.39 percent, at 2,698.19.
Japanese markets were closed Monday and Tuesday for public holidays.
The U.S. dollar strengthened, trading mostly around the 143 yen line in Tokyo, as the yen, seen as a safe-haven asset, was sold after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States and China will hold talks this weekend to de-escalate trade tensions.
At noon, the dollar fetched 143.12-13 yen compared with 142.36-46 yen in New York at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The euro was quoted at $1.1339-1342 and 162.27-34 yen against $1.1361-1371 and 161.95-162.05 yen in New York late Tuesday afternoon.
Stocks were supported by hopes for a possible start of tariff negotiations between the world’s two largest economies after President Donald Trump unleashed hefty tariffs on imports, brokers said.
But the market was pressured by selling after Wall Street declines overnight and weak pharmaceutical shares, as Trump said Monday he plans to announce tariffs aimed at reviving the U.S. pharmaceutical sector within the next two weeks.
AloJapan.com