Nikkei average starts with a 535 yen decline BOJ Governor Ueda considers additional rate hikes if the certainty of achieving the price target increases - report

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BOJ Governor Uchida stated that if the likelihood of achieving the price target increases, additional rate hikes will be considered - report
Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda stated in an interview with Asahi Shimbun that if the certainty of achieving the 2% price target increases, he will consider additional rate hikes.

Real consumption expenditures in February decreased by 0.5%, marking the 12th consecutive month of decline.
According to the household survey for February released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on the 5th, the real consumption expenditures of households with two or more members decreased by 0.5% compared to the same month last year, excluding the impact of price fluctuations, reaching 270,9868 yen. This marks the 12th consecutive month of decline.

Toxic substances found in 'red koji,' possible external contamination by mold detected in 30% of 2023 manufacturing.
$Kobayashi Pharmaceutical (4967.JP)$The issue of health damage caused by functional food products containing raw materials of 'red koji' manufactured by Veru Inc. has not been fully clarified even after two and a half months since the first reported case. The component suspected to be 'pulveloric acid,' a toxic substance derived from blue mold, which may be the cause of health damage, was detected in 30% of the product lots manufactured in 2023.

Stocks of semiconductor leading companies like Toshiba Electronic and Laser Tech are being sold off, following a significant decline in the SOX index.
$Tokyo Electron (8035.JP)$、 $Lasertec (6920.JP)$Overall selling pressure on semiconductor leading stocks. This comes as a response to the significant drop in the US stock market the previous day. $NVIDIA (NVDA.US)$Ya $Micron Technology (MU.US)$Semiconductor giants such as etc are being sold, and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Stock Index (SOX Index) also significantly lowered by 3%.

INPEX hits a new high, WTI crude oil rises for the 5th day to the $86 range.
$Inpex (1605.JP)$Hits a new high. The rise in crude oil prices is being considered as a factor. On the 4th, the New York crude oil futures market rose for the 5th day. The WTI crude oil futures for May delivery closed at $86.59 per barrel, up $1.44 from the previous trading day.

Sony Bank considers the use of stablecoins in a group experiment
Sony Bank has started a demonstration experiment for issuing 'stablecoins' linked to legal currencies such as the yen, with the aim of reducing the burden of fees when individuals make payments or transfers. $Sony Group (6758.JP)$Consideration is being given to utilizing it as a payment method in businesses using intellectual property such as gaming and sports that the company holds.

Toyota to halt production at its Tsutsumi plant Line 1 from the 4th to the 9th for production process confirmation work.
$Toyota Motor (7203.JP)$Toyota revealed that it will suspend operations at the first line of its Tsutsumi plant (Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture) from the 4th to the 9th for confirmation work on some production processes, stating that it is not due to the impact of the earthquake in Taiwan.