Japan Market Daily | Kabutaro & Friends

On May 24, 2026, while major financial markets were closed for Sunday, international focus remained locked on U.S.-Iran negotiations and global resource security. According to reports from the Financial Times and other sources, progress has been made on a draft memorandum involving a 60-day ceasefire extension and the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. However, unresolved Iranian demands regarding compensation and sanction relief leave a risk of re-escalation, even as Brent crude eased to around 104 dollars per barrel. Meanwhile, following the conclusion of the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in Suzhou, China, Japan's Economy Minister Akazawa engaged in bilateral discussions with economic representatives to reinforce supply chain resilience against persistent global inflation and material shortages driven by the Middle East crisis.