Market Updates
Japan's Indexes Traded Higher Amid Escalating Tensions in the Persian Gulf
Akira Ito
20 Apr, 2026
Tokyo
Japan's indexes advanced on Monday, and investors overlooked rising tensions in the Persian Gulf.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average advanced about 1%, and the broader Topix gained 0.6%, and the Japanese yen hovered at 159.46 against the U.S. dollar.
Tensions in the Persian Gulf escalated after the U.S. Navy captured an Iranian cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman and continued its blockade of Iran's ports.
Meanwhile, Iran reasserted its sovereignty on the Strait of Hormuz, which is a vital waterway for global oil shipments, prolonging the energy supply shock and keeping crude oil and energy prices higher.
The Brent crude oil price increased 6% to $95.37 a barrel, reflecting worries that shipments through the critical waterways may not be restored to normal levels in the immediate future.
Since the start of war at the end of February, international crude oil prices have soared more than 60%, jet fuel prices have doubled, and food prices have jumped more than 20% in Japan.
Moreover, prices of imported fertilizers and industrial gases have jumped because of the disruption of supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.8% to 58,965.20, and the broader Topix index edged higher 0.6% to 3,782.66.
AI-driven and semiconductor equipment makers led the gainers in Tokyo.
SoftBank Group, Tokyo Electron, Advantest Corp, and Lasertec advanced between 3% and 5%.
Nippon Yusen, Mitsui OSK Lines, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha fell between 1% and 4%.
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