The Nikkei average is 879 yen higher (as of 2:45 p.m.). In terms of the Nikkei average contribution rate, stocks such as Fast Retailing <9983>, Advantest <6857>, Recruit Holdings <6098>, etc., are contributing positively, while Disco <6146>, Nitori Holdings <9843>, Aeon <8267>, are among the top negative contributors. All sectors are on the rise, with banking, insurance, securities, futures, other products, and service industries among the top gainers.

The Nikkei average remains strong in the high range. Later today, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine will be announced. In the US tonight, the August US consumer credit balance will be released. There is high anticipation for a Japanese winner in the natural sciences awards after Shukuro Manabe (Physics Prize) in '21, the last Japanese laureate, won three years ago.