Japan Market Daily | Kabutaro & Friends

On April 18, 2026, the global economy was characterized by persistent geopolitical uncertainty and efforts to curb surging oil prices. The U.S. Treasury announced a temporary easing of sanctions to allow purchases of Russian crude oil in an attempt to stabilize global energy markets. However, conflicting statements from Iranian officials regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz left supply route normalization in doubt. Gold prices surged toward 4,900 dollars per ounce as investors sought safe-haven assets. In Japan, the dual pressure of a weak yen and high energy costs led Shin-Etsu Chemical to announce a price hike of over 10 percent for all silicone products, reflecting a broader trend of cost-push inflation. Rising living costs are also dampening domestic demand, with consumer surveys showing the first decline in Golden Week holiday budgets in two years.