Nikkei Average Starts Continued Growth Tokyo Stock Exchange Calls for 5% Investment in the Emerging U.S. Exchange to Trade Japanese Stocks

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TSE calls for 5% investment in emerging US exchanges to trade Japanese stocks
The Tokyo Stock Exchange announced on the 7th that it will invest 5% in Blue Ocean Technologies, a startup managed by the US Exchange. Through the company, we will expand our knowledge on services and systems in the US securities market. Overseas securities companies participating in the Blue Ocean market are invited to participate in Japanese stock trading.

June consumer spending falls 4.2% Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
According to the household budget survey of households with 2 or more people in June announced by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on the 8th, consumption expenditure per household was 275,545 yen, actually a 4.2% decrease from the same month last year excluding the effects of price fluctuations. The negative has continued for 4 consecutive months.

Real wages in June fell 1.6% negative for 15 consecutive months due to high prices
According to the June monthly labor statistics survey announced by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare on the 8th, real wages reflecting price fluctuations in total cash salary (nominal wage) decreased 1.6% from the same month last year. Although nominal wages grew, the impact of soaring prices was significant, and they fell below the previous year for 15 consecutive months.

Current account surplus increased 11% to 8 trillion yen from January to June, and resource levels came to a standstill
According to the balance of payments statistics (preliminary report) for 2023/1-6 announced by the Ministry of Finance on the 8th, the current account surplus, which indicates the status of transactions such as goods and services with overseas, was 8.13.2 billion yen, up 11.1% from the same period last year.

The investigation committee for fraudulent insurance claims was transferred to Sompo Japan to hold shares
$Sompo Holdings (8630.JP)$It was announced on the 7th that it had established an investigation committee to investigate the response of General Insurance Japan, a core subsidiary, over the insurance claim issue caused by Big Motor (Tokyo/Minato), a major used car sales company. The committee consists of 3 outside lawyers.

July used car prices fell 8% further due to big motor fraud
A major used car auction house $USS (4732.JP)$The average bid price for used cars in July, as compiled by, was 1,066,000 yen, which is 8% lower than the same month last year. Prices had risen drastically in the same month of the previous year due to a shortage of new cars due to a shortage of semiconductors, so they fell due to a reaction. The price has exceeded 1 million yen and is over 50% higher compared to before the novel coronavirus disaster, but there are also voices that are concerned about the impact of the insurance claim fraud issue at Big Motor, a major used car sales company.

Telecommunications Industry Warning Discussion Accelerates Complete Privatization, Liberal Democratic Party Amari Makes Concrete Proposals - NTT
Discussions aimed at complete privatization of NTT are accelerating. Former Secretary General Amari Akira, who has been hired as the head of the Liberal Democratic Party's review team, showed a positive attitude on law revisions for complete privatization on a TV program on the 6th, and also showed a specific plan to sell the company's shares. Meanwhile, the telecommunications industry is increasing its sense of caution that fair competition with NTT could be hindered.

Will SoftBank G turn into a surplus the path Mr. Son is aiming for
$SoftBank Group (9984.JP)$will announce consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending 2023/4-6 on the 8th. The Vision Fund business, which invests in artificial intelligence (AI) related companies around the world under its umbrella, was in deficit for 5 consecutive quarters from January to March. The focus will be on whether they can achieve a surplus transition for the first time in six quarters and take the first step towards the “reverse offensive” advocated by Chairman and President Masayoshi Son.

Mitsui & Co., Ltd. sells Dutch railway leases
$Mitsui (8031.JP)$It was announced on the 7th that it will sell its Dutch railway leasing subsidiary to Beacon Rail Metro Finance (Netherlands), which is in the same industry. The sale amount has not been determined at the moment, but it is said to be on the scale of tens of billions of yen. Mitsui & Co., Ltd. is reviewing its business structure and replacing assets in order to secure capital for investment in growth fields and shareholder returns, and this time is also part of that.

Astellas Pharma to acquire approximately 8.8% shares of US Poseida - supports cancer cell therapy
$Astellas Pharma (4503.JP)$Is an American biopharmaceutical company $Poseida Therapeutics (PSTX.US)$It was announced that a total of 50 million dollars (about 7.1 billion yen) will be invested in to acquire approximately 8.8% of the company's shares.

Sony G's financial results tomorrow, pay attention to PS5 and image sensor demand trends
$Sony Group (6758.JP)$In the financial results for the April-June fiscal year, sales of the home game console “PlayStation (PS) 5” and demand trends for image sensors mounted on smartphones are attracting attention. The presentation will be made at 3:00 p.m. on the 9th, and a press conference will be held from 4:00 p.m.

TOB to start TOB 8/8 at 4620 yen per share of Toshiba - continued TBJH
$Toshiba (6502.JP)$It continues to grow. The company announced on the 7th that it expressed support for the public offer (TOB) of the company's shares carried out by TBJH LLC, an affiliate of Japan Industrial Partners, and recommended that shareholders apply for TOB. The purchase price is 4620 yen per share. The purchase period is from 8/8 to 9/20. The planned number of shares to be purchased is 432.88,0086 shares. The lower limit is 288.731,000 shares. There is no upper limit.

Lasertec - Continued growth, operating profit increased 3% this fiscal year, 92% increase in the previous fiscal year
$Lasertec (6920.JP)$It continues to grow. The company announced on the 7th that its consolidated operating profit forecast for the full year of the 24.6 fiscal year is 64.0 billion yen (up 2.7% from the previous fiscal year). The level is similar to the forecast disclosed on 7/24. Consolidated operating profit for the full year of the 23.6 fiscal year was 62.29 billion yen (up 91.7% from the previous fiscal year). There was a slight increase from the upward correction figure of 61 billion yen carried out beforehand. The improvement in the product mix and the depreciation of the yen contributed. The volume of orders received was 180 billion yen (down 42.4% from the same period), and the balance of orders received was 402.9 billion yen (up 9.1% from the same period). Although it declined from the previous fiscal year, it continued to be at a high level.

Daiwa House aims to resolve housing shortage with condominium development in the UK
$Daiwa House Industry (1925.JP)$It was announced on the 7th that it will embark on the development of condominiums for sale in the UK. A condominium development subsidiary will be established in London in October. In Europe, they are involved in the construction of apartment complexes that have received orders from local governments, etc., but this is the first time that condominiums for sale have been developed. Sales from the overseas condominium business will increase to 150 billion yen in the fiscal year ending 2027/3.

Kubota merges part of the Nippon Cast Iron Pipe and Water Pipe business
$Kubota (6326.JP)$with $Nippon Chutetsukan KK (5612.JP)$It was announced on the 7th that part of the ductile iron pipe business used as water pipes will be integrated into the Med in 2026. Although there is demand for renewal of domestic water pipes, it is determined that long-term market expansion is not expected, and efficiency is improved.