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Tokyo stocks open higher, Middle East uncertainty persists

Mon Apr 20, 2026 9:04 am JST Market

Tokyo stocks opened higher on the 20th, with the Nikkei Stock Average rising 345 yen from the previous trading day to 58,821 yen at the opening bell.

While the index plunged over 1,000 yen on the previous Friday on concerns about the pace of recent gains, buying dominated on this day following rallies in European and U.S. markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average in the U.S. market accelerated its gains, at one point rising more than 1,100 points, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index extended its winning streak to 13 consecutive sessions, continuing to hit record highs. The sharp decline in WTI crude oil futures to the lower $80 per barrel range is being viewed as a positive factor in the Tokyo market, easing inflation concerns. However, the Middle East situation remains unclear, capping gains in the Nikkei. Market participants remain divided over speculation surrounding the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and trading is expected to be driven by news flow.

Source: MINKABU PRESS

*Translated by generative AI. Click here for the original article.

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