The Nikkei average is up 528 yen (as of 1:50 PM). In terms of contribution to the Nikkei average, Advantest <6857>, Fast Retailing <9983>, and Recruit HD <6098> are among the top positive contributors, while Konami Group <9766>, 7 & i HD <3382>, and Honda <7267> are among the top negative contributors. In the Sector, services, Oil & Coal Products, electric and gas industries, Electric Appliances, and Rubber Products are among the top gainers, while Iron & Steel and pulp & paper are declining.

The Nikkei average is moving slightly. The Nikkei average shows a firm lower bound, providing a sense of security to the market. On the other hand, there do not seem to be any particularly noteworthy buying factors domestically, and active buying seems to have been somewhat postponed.