Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index gained 0.3% to 40,074.87 after the central bank raised its benchmark rate to about 0.5% from 0.25%, as widely expected. It is the highest level for the rate since 2008, as the Bank of Japan shifts out of a long spell of extreme low interest rates meant to spur more borrowing and spending.

World shares advanced Friday after U.S. stocks rose to a record and the Bank of Japan raised its key lending rate.

HONG KONG: Asian markets rose Friday (Jan 24) after a record day on Wall Street in response to Donald Trump's tax-cut pledge, while the yen weakened slightly ahead of an expected interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan later in the day. In a much ...

Most Asian markets edged up Friday at the end of a week beset by volatility after China's DeepSeek unveiled a groundbreaking chatbot, while sentiment was dampened after Donald Trump confirmed he hit Canada and Mexico with hefty tariffs.

Asia-Pacific markets rise on Friday, tracked a rise in U.S. equities, as investors digested the latest batch of corporate earnings results. On Thursday, Trump reiterated plans to impose a

Asia markets are mostly higher on Friday following gains on Wall Street driven by Tesla, IBM and Meta Platforms after strong profit reports. U.S. futures and oil prices rose.

Consumer inflation in the Tokyo metropolitan area picked up slightly in January, government data showed Friday, supporting the Bank of Japan’s plan to pursue more interest-rate increases.

"If our economic and price forecasts are achieved, we will raise our policy rate accordingly and adjust the degree of monetary support," Himino said. The BOJ raised interest rates to 0.5% from 0.25% last week on the view that wages will continue rising and keep inflation stable around its 2% target.

ASX 200 hits a record high on rate cut speculation, while US stocks retreat after Powell dims rate cut hopes. Nikkei edges up amid AI export concerns.

TOKYO (Reuters) - The fading shadow of reflationists in the Bank of Japan, and the latest addition to the board of an academic favouring an end to ultra-low interest rates, will likely bring the central bank's thinking closer to global peers taking a more conventional approach on monetary policy.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority left its base rate unchanged at 4.75% on Thursday, tracking a move by the U.S. Federal Reserve to keep rates steady.

By Benjamin Nathan OTCHERE Expanding retail investor participation in a stock market is crucial for a nation’s financial ecosystem. When retail investors are  engaged, markets tend to be more vibrant,