Market Updates
Japan Indexes Struggled After Softer Household Spending In April
Akira Ito
06 Jun, 2025
Tokyo
Stock market indexes in Japan edged higher on Friday after the recent phone call between leaders of China and the U.S. failed to settle trade policy differences.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 0.5%, and the Topix index edged up 0.4% amid hopes that the U.S. and China will soon resume trade negotiations.
Investor sentiment was cautious after the latest household income and spending report confirmed weak consumer sentiment.
The average monthly income of a salaried household with at least two members rose 4.1% in nominal term and was unchanged in real terms from a year ago in April at 589,528 yen, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said.
Nominal household spending in April was 325,717 yen, or $2,300, an increase of 4% from a year ago, according to the data released by the ministry.
Household spending in real terms declined for the first time in two months, as consumers cut spending on appliances and apparel, partly because of rising prices.
Spending on appliances and furniture declined 0.4%, footwear and apparel fell 2.1%, but food spending increased for the first time in eight months by 0.3% amid elevated but stable prices.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.5% to 37,741.61, and the broader Topix index gained 0.4% to 2,769.33.
Defense, steelmakers, vehicle makers, and heavy-industry companies dominated in Friday's trading.
IHI Corp. rose 2.4% to ¥15,550.0, Fujikura Ltd. increased 0.4% to ¥6,899.0, Nippon Steel Corp. advanced 1.7% to ¥2,900.0, and Toyota Motor Corp. gained 0.1% to ¥2,652.0.
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