April 28, 2025 at 02:45 am EDT
(MT Newswires) -- Japanese shares firmed on Monday as signs emerged that Tokyo may have sidestepped immediate US pressure for a stronger yen, even as currency and rate policy risks linger over broader trade talks.
The Nikkei 225 rose 0.40%, or 142.82 points, to close at 35,848.56.
Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said he and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent did not discuss exchange-rate targets during their first face-to-face meeting last week, and a finance ministry official said no accusations were made about Japan deliberately weakening the yen.
Still, Kato's remarks that currency dialogue would continue within broader trade talks suggested the yen could remain a flashpoint, with top negotiator Ryosei Akazawa heading to Washington for further discussions.
On the corporate front, Keyence posted a 7.8% rise in profit to 398.7 billion yen for the year ended March 20, driven by a 9.5% increase in net sales to 1.059 trillion yen. Earnings per share climbed to 1,643.77 yen.
Tokyo Gas will transfer its Sodegaura Power Plant business to its wholly owned subsidiary, Tokyo Gas Colza Power, via a corporate demerger, effective July 1.
Tokyo Steel Manufacturing plans to invest about 10 billion yen to upgrade its hot dip galvanizing line at the Okayama Plant.
Set to start operations in early fiscal 2027, the project will expand production capacity to 250,000 tons annually and support demand for low-CO2 steel products.

Sumber : MT Newswires