Japanese Yen Dropped to 10-Month Low, Manufacturing Confidence Index at 4-Year High

Akira Ito
12 Nov, 2025
Tokyo

Japan's stock market indexes barely stayed above the flatline and recouped losses from the previous session. 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average edged up a fraction, and the broader Topix advanced 0.8% amid improving global market sentiment. 

In Tokyo's trading, indexes advanced following rising possibilities that the U.S. federal government is likely to reopen as early as Wednesday. 

The House of Representatives is set to pass the U.S. Senate resolution to reopen the federal government, which will resume the flow of macroeconomic data.  

Private businesses laid off about 45,000 employees in the four-week period ending on October 25, confirming weakening labor market conditions amid uncertain U.S. trade policy.  

Closer to home, a survey of large manufacturing businesses showed improved confidence amid rising global sales of vehicles and electronics. 

The Reuters Tankan Index for manufacturing advanced to +17 in November from +8, according to the latest update. 

The weakness in the Japanese yen supported solid orders in the electronics and vehicle sectors, buoying confidence despite the U.S. tariff headwinds. 

The measure of confidence advanced to the level last seen in January 2022, and the index is calculated by subtracting the percentage of pessimistic views from optimistic responses. 

 

Japan Indexes and Stocks 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average edged up 0.04% to 50,863.08, and the broader Topix index advanced 0.8% to 3,348.03. 

Softbank Group Corp. dropped 1.9% to ¥22,270.0, and the company sold its entire stake in Nvidia for $5.3 billion. 

In addition, the AI-focused investment company pared its stake in T-Mobile and raised $9.2 billion, increasing its war chest to fund AI technology projects. 

Softbank missed out on $100 billion in gains from Nvidia after selling its stake in the AI chipmaker in 2019 and then reinvesting at a higher price a year later.