Nikkei Rises as AI Buying Returns and BOJ Rate-Hike Bets Build
Japan’s Nikkei and TOPIX rose, with investors returning to a more selective AI trade after weaker U.S. labor data reduced near-term Fed rate hike expectations. Shares including Ibiden, Furukawa Electric, Fujikura, Sumitomo Metal Mining, Tokyo Electron and Advantest gained. BOJ rate-hike bets increased after Reuters said at least three board members favored faster hikes, with policy rate held at 1% in July.
