Japan Market Daily | Kabutaro & Friends

On May 8, 2026, the Nikkei 225 fell for the first time in three sessions, closing at 62,713 yen, down 120 yen from the previous day. Profit-taking emerged following the previous day's record-breaking surge and a decline in U.S. tech stocks. Investor sentiment was dampened as hopes for an early ceasefire in the Middle East receded after Iran expressed a negative view on U.S. proposals and sporadic clashes were reported near the Strait of Hormuz. While IHI shares soared on strong earnings, SoftBank Group weighed on the index. Meanwhile, Sony Group projected a record net profit for the fiscal year ending March 2027, driven by its robust gaming and entertainment divisions. In the foreign exchange market, the yen traded in the upper 156 range against the dollar, with persistent energy price volatility remaining a primary concern for the global economy.