Stocks in Tokyo rebounded after calmness returned to trading following the easing of the yen. Japan's expected next prime minister, Ishiba, in the past had advocated expanding taxes on financial income and supported a more hawkish monetary policy approach.
The Liberal Democratic Party president Shigeru Ishiba is expected to dissolve the lower house of the Diet and announced a general election on October 27.
Tokyo's overall and core inflation decreased in September and dropped near the target level set by the Bank of Japan, easing pressure on policymakers to lift rates in the near future. The yen weakened 1% after the release of inflation data.
Stock market indexes in Hong Kong and mainland China soared for the fourth consecutive day, extended weekly gains, and rebounded more than 20% from the lows reached nearly three months ago.
Benchmark indexes in Tokyo jumped, following a sharp rally in semiconductor and related stocks. The yen held steady after the latest policy meeting minutes indicated committee members worried about rising inflation risks and preferred a gradual approach to increasing interest rates.
Benchmark indexes in mainland China and Hong Kong extended the stimulus rally to the third consecutive day amid growing confidence in Beijing's leadership's commitment to revive flagging economic growth.
Stock market indexes halted a four-day rally in Tokyo, and investors looked ahead to the release of minutes of meetings from the Bank of Japan and Tokyo's inflation data.
China stocks extended their rally for the second day in a row after the central bank lowered its one-year loan prime rate following a wide range of stimulus measures announced on Tuesday.
Japan's activities in the service sector accelerated, but in the manufacturing sector they contracted, highlighting the trend in place in the year so far.
The People's Bank of China announced a wide range of measures to inject liquidity into the banking system, facilitate investor confidence, and support the property market. However, the monetary stimulus alone is likely to fall short in reviving market sentiment amid weak consumer sentiment.
Stock market indexes extended weekly gains in Tokyo after the Bank of Japan held its short-term rates steady and reiterated its hawkish outlook. Japan's core consumer price inflation accelerated for the fourth month in a row in August.
The yen edged lower after the U.S. Federal Reserve announced a larger rate cut, shrinking the rate differential with the Japanese government bonds. The Bank of Japan is expected to hold rates steady but signal future rate hikes.
