Nikkei average starts with a decrease of 359 yen, Bank of Japan may raise interest rates in June if conditions permit, the current situation is considered excessive easing - Former Director Sekine.

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If conditions permit, the Bank of Japan may raise interest rates as early as June and currently believes that the current situation is 'overly accommodative' - Former Director Sekine
Based on the extent of Japan's monetary easing, former head of the Japan Bank's Research and Statistics Bureau and current professor at the Graduate School of International and Public Policy at Hitotsubashi University, Toshitaka Sekine, stated that it is natural for the Bank of Japan to proceed with policy adjustments, and it is possible to consider an additional rate hike at the monetary policy decision meeting in June if the situation allows.

70% of the companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's Prime Board, approximately 1,100 companies, have indicated plans to reduce cross-held shares by the end of March, facing pressure on their management - Nikkei Asian Review
It has been revealed that approximately 70% of the companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's Prime Board, totaling about 1,100 companies, have indicated plans to reduce cross-held shares by the end of March. They aim to sell cross-held shares, which are difficult to expect investment returns from, in order to improve capital efficiency. This move is in response to a request from the Tokyo Stock Exchange, as Japan's unique corporate practice of cross-holding shares is gradually eroding.

Speculation looms over continuous reduction in Bank of Japan's government bond purchases - focusing on the 3-5 year zone
Concerns have emerged in the market regarding a potential reduction in the amount of government bonds to be purchased in the Bank of Japan's operation scheduled for the 17th, following a surprise reduction on the 13th. It is expected that the reduction will target the medium-term zone where the Bank of Japan's purchase ratio is high.

Honda remains solid with a 10 trillion yen investment in electrification, doubling from its previous plan.
$Honda Motor (7267.JP)$The stock price is firm. The company announced that it plans to invest about 10 trillion yen over the next 10 years until fiscal 2030, when full-scale adoption of EV electric vehicles is expected, compared to the previous plan of investing about 5 trillion yen.

Mizuho FG - Firm. Aiming to lend 2 trillion yen in fields such as hydrogen by 2030.
$Mizuho Financial Group (8411.JP)$The stock price is firm. The company announced its aim to execute 2 trillion yen in finance by 2030 in fields such as manufacturing hydrogen, ammonia, e-methane, etc.