Japan Market Daily | Kabutaro & Friends

On April 20, 2026, the Nikkei 225 rebounded to close at 58,824.89 yen, up 348.99 yen from the previous Friday. The market opened higher following gains in U.S. equities and was further supported by the Iranian Foreign Minister's statement regarding a temporary reopening of the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire period. Although the index briefly reclaimed the 59,000 level, gains narrowed in the afternoon due to lingering doubts about actual maritime safety and profit-taking by institutional investors. In currency markets, the yen hovered in the low 159 range against the dollar as expectations for prolonged high interest rates in the U.S. and Europe remained intact. While the brief de-escalation favored risk-on sentiment, concerns over supply chain disruptions and energy price volatility persist, keeping the global economic outlook cautious.