Osanbashi in Yokohama on December 10, 2022.
Yuichi Yamazaki | Afp | Getty Images
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index was set to hit another record Wednesday, amid broader gains expected in Asia markets as the region looked past geopolitical concerns.
The Japanese index gained over 3% to hit a record high Tuesday on expectations that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi could call for a snap election likely in February. This election, if called, will be Takaichi’s first time facing Japan’s voters in an election.
Futures for the Nikkei 225 pointed to a stronger open, with the futures contract in Chicago at 54,045, and its counterpart in Osaka at 53,960, compared to the previous close of 53,549.16.
The Japanese yen has also weakened past the 159 mark against the dollar, reaching its lowest level since July 2024, when Japanese authorities intervened to stop the yen’s slide.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rising 0.11%.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index futures were at 26,920, pointing to a stronger open compared to the HSI’s last close of 26,848.47.
