[Nikkei Stock Average and TOPIX (Table)]

Nikkei average; 38150.61; -291.39

TOPIX; 2665.72; -23.83

Summary of the start of the afternoon session

In the afternoon session, the Nikkei average started lower at 38150.61 yen, down 291.39 yen from the previous day, slightly widening the decline from the morning close (38165.85 yen). During the lunch break, the Nikkei 225 futures ranged between 38130 yen and 38180 yen. The dollar-yen exchange rate was 1 dollar = 152.40-50 yen, appreciating about 40 sen for the yen and depreciating for the dollar since around 9 AM. In Asia, the Shanghai Composite Index has generally shifted from a slight decline to an increase of about 0.3%, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index has fluctuated around the previous day's closing price, also rising about 0.3%.

In the afternoon session, the Tokyo market started with some selling, compared to the morning close. There is continued caution regarding the policies of the Trump administration in the United States, and the yen has slightly moved towards a higher value against the dollar compared to the morning, which seems to be making investors cautious. On the other hand, similar to yesterday, the Nikkei average approached 38000 yen in the morning session, attracting buying on dips, which appears to provide some reassurance to the market.

In the sectors, nonferrous metals, transportation equipment, and marine transportation have the highest declines, while pharmaceuticals and other products are rising.

In the trading volume rankings on the Tokyo Stock Exchange main board, Sanrio <8136>, Mitsui E&S <7003>, Furukawa Electric <5801>, mazda motor crp <7261>, Tokyu <9005>, Nissan <7201>, Sumitomo Electric <5802>, SMC <6273>, Toyota <7203>, and Advantest <6857> are declining. On the other hand, Keisei <9009>, Resona Holdings <4004>, Chugai Pharmaceutical <4519>, OLC <4661>, Kansai Electric <9503>, Lasertec <6920>, Disco <6146>, Nitori HD <9843>, Daiichi Sankyo <4568>, and nintendo co ltd <7974> are rising.