Japan's Nikkei 225 Hits Record High as Trump Extends Iran Ceasefire
Asian markets mixed amid Iran talks uncertainty; Japan exports rise for seventh straight month
Quick Look
- Japan's Nikkei 225 rose to a record 59,691 after trade data showed exports rising for a seventh straight month, while President Trump extended a US ceasefire with Iran at Pakistan's request.
- However, Iranian negotiators refused to attend talks, creating uncertainty across Asia-Pacific markets.
- Oil futures slipped slightly while South Korea's Kospi and Australia's ASX 200 both declined over 1%.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The US-Iran tensions have been a major market driver in 2026, with oil prices remaining elevated amid Middle East conflict concerns. Japan's export-dependent economy has benefited from the yen weakness and strong global demand, though the Bank of Japan's potential policy shifts create uncertainty.
Japan's Nikkei 225 hit a record high on Wednesday as President Donald Trump extended a U.S. ceasefire with Iran, even as other Asia-Pacific markets were broadly lower amid concerns that the Middle East conflict could drag on.
"Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal," Trump said in a Truth Social post.
He added that the ceasefire would be extended until Tehran submitted a proposal or discussions were concluded, and that the U.S. military would continue its blockade of Iranian ports. However, the timeline remains uncertain. Negotiators from Tehran said they wouldn't attend the talks with the U.S., calling them a "waste of time," Iranian state media reported on Wednesday.
The uncertainty also delayed Vice President JD Vance's trip to join peace talks, according to reports from Axios and The New York Times, citing U.S. officials with knowledge of the situation.
Oil futures gave up earlier gains. West Texas Intermediate futures were 0.28% lower at $89.42 per barrel as of 9:20 p.m. ET. Brent crude declined 0.29% to $98.19 per barrel.
Japan's Nikkei 225 rose to a new record of 59,691 following the release of its latest trade data. The country's exports rose for a seventh straight month, posting a trade surplus of 667 billion yen ($4.18 billion) in March, compared with a surplus of 1.1 trillion yen forecast, data from Reuters showed. The focus will also be on the Bank of Japan's policy meeting next week. The Topix, however, lost 0.60%.
South Korea's Kospi lost 1.02% amid some profit-taking after reaching a record high on Tuesday. The small-cap Kosdaq extended early losses, dropping 1.57%. Producer prices in March grew at their fastest pace in over three years, supported by higher oil prices amid the conflict in the Middle East, central bank data showed.
Mainland China's CSI300 index inched 0.11% lower, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index declined 1.08%. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was 0.98% lower.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Bank of Japan will likely maintain current policy stance at April 26 meeting
Likely · Within weeks
Iran may eventually agree to negotiations under continued US pressure
Possible · Within weeks
Nikkei may test 60,000 level if BOJ maintains supportive policy
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will Iran agree to attend negotiations?
- What specific proposal will Iran submit?
- How long will the ceasefire be extended?
- Will the Bank of Japan change interest rate policy?
