Japan Market Daily | Kabutaro & Friends

On April 25, 2026, while major financial markets were closed for the weekend, Nikkei 225 futures climbed to the 59,900 range, bringing the historic 60,000 mark within reach for the upcoming week. This upward trend is supported by typical new-fiscal-year capital inflows and strong technical momentum. In the real economy, while robust wage hikes from spring negotiations are beginning to support consumer spending, households remain cautious due to high food and energy costs. Japan's March CPI rose 1.8 percent, staying below 2 percent for the second month thanks to government subsidies, but fears of re-accelerating inflation after these measures end persist. Global growth faces multiple downside risks, including potential supply chain disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz due to Middle East tensions, rising oil prices, and strained Japan-China relations impacting tourism and rare earth supplies, keeping investors vigilant despite the stock market rally.