Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index gained 0.3% to 40,074.87 after the central bank raised its benchmark rate to about 0.5% from 0.25%, as widely expected. It is the highest level for the rate since 2008, as the Bank of Japan shifts out of a long spell of extreme low interest rates meant to spur more borrowing and spending.

World shares advanced Friday after U.S. stocks rose to a record and the Bank of Japan raised its key lending rate.

HONG KONG: Asian markets rose Friday (Jan 24) after a record day on Wall Street in response to Donald Trump's tax-cut pledge, while the yen weakened slightly ahead of an expected interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan later in the day. In a much ...

Consumer inflation in the Tokyo metropolitan area picked up slightly in January, government data showed Friday, supporting the Bank of Japan’s plan to pursue more interest-rate increases.

"If our economic and price forecasts are achieved, we will raise our policy rate accordingly and adjust the degree of monetary support," Himino said. The BOJ raised interest rates to 0.5% from 0.25% last week on the view that wages will continue rising and keep inflation stable around its 2% target.

ASX 200 hits a record high on rate cut speculation, while US stocks retreat after Powell dims rate cut hopes. Nikkei edges up amid AI export concerns.

TOKYO (Reuters) - The fading shadow of reflationists in the Bank of Japan, and the latest addition to the board of an academic favouring an end to ultra-low interest rates, will likely bring the central bank's thinking closer to global peers taking a more conventional approach on monetary policy.

World shares advanced Friday after U.S. stocks rose to a record and the Bank of Japan raised its key lending rate. Oil prices fell after U.S. President Donald Trump called on oil-producing countries to reduce the price of crude,

Japan and Hong Kong stocks were set to open mixed Tuesday, with several Asia-Pacific markets closed for the Lunar New Year holiday. Japan's Nikkei 225 futures pointed to a lower open for the market. The futures contract in Chicago was at 39,150 and its counterpart in Osaka last traded at 39,050 compared to the index's previous close of 39,565.8.

Chinese risk-free rates are at 20 year lows. This coupled with new policy moves may buoy the Hong Kong and Chinese markets.

World shares declined as U.S. stocks fell from record highs, with European markets also dropping. Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained due to a Chinese AI startup.

Distressed property sales in Hong Kong are beginning to bite banks that ... eroding the value of the collateral backing many bank loans. Defaults are also rising as more property owners and ...