Japan's Current Account Surplus Soared to Record High In September, Benchmark Indexes Advanced

Akira Ito
11 Nov, 2025
Tokyo

Japan's benchmark indexes rebounded, tracking gains on Wall Street, and investors bid up high-flying AI-related stocks. 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.3%, and the Topix inched higher 0.28% amid improving global market sentiment. 

The U.S. Senate passed a critical resolution, advancing the process of ending the longest-ever federal government shutdown after seven Democrats and one independent senator voted in favor. 

Market sentiment recovered in the hopes that the restart of federal activities would provide reliable economic data, ranging from consumer spending to inflation to labor market conditions. 

 

Japan's Current Account Surplus Jumped to Record High in September

Japan's current account surplus soared threefold in September after exports advanced at a faster pace than imports.

The current surplus advanced to a record high of 4.5 trillion yen from 1.5 trillion yen a year ago in September, according to data provided by the Ministry of Finance. 

The primary income surplus widened to 4.9 trillion yen from 2.4 trillion yen, reflecting higher returns from overseas investments. 

The international goods account swung to a surplus of 236 billion yen from a deficit of 362 billion yen, as exports rose 8.6% and imports advanced 1.7% from a year ago, respectively.  

Meanwhile, the service account deficit narrowed to 214.6 billion yen from 313.7 billion yen a year ago. 

 

Japan Indexes and Stocks 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.3% to 51,069.52, and the broader Topix rose 0.3% to 3,328.01. 

AI-supply chain-driven stocks rebounded, tracking a rise in tech stocks on Wall Street. 

Tokyo Electron increased 1.1% to ¥34,590.0, Advantest Corp. decreased 2.8% to ¥20,145.0, Lasertec gained 1.6% to ¥29,285.0, and SoftBank Group advanced 1.1% to ¥22,505.0. 

Honda Motor Co. Ltd. advanced 0.1% to ¥1,512.50, and the vehicle maker trimmed its annual profit forecast, citing U.S. tariffs, global chip shortages, and intensifying competition from Chinese electric vehicle makers.

Revenue in the six-month period ending in September decreased 1.5% to 10.6 trillion yen from 10.8 trillion yen, net income plunged 33.8% to 348.6 billion yen from 526.8 billion yen, and diluted earnings per share decreased to 76.30 from 103.25 yen a year ago. 

The global vehicle maker revised lower its fiscal year 2026 earnings outlook amid mounting competition from Chinese vehicle makers in Latin America, the ASEAN region, and the European Union. 

Honda estimated full-year revenue to decline 4.6% to 20.7 trillion yen, profit to plunge 60.7% to 355 billion yen, and diluted earnings per share of 75.05 yen. 

The ongoing chip supply shortages and a sharp escalation in U.S. tariffs have forced Japanese automakers to absorb increased operating costs in the North American market.