The Nikkei average started 277 yen higher, with the business sentiment of large manufacturing companies deteriorating for the first time in 4 quarters, according to the March Tankan survey.

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Bank of Japan's interest rate hike could be up to a maximum of 0.25% over a year, continuing accommodative policy - New chairman of the National Association of Shinkin Banks.
Fukudome Akihiro, the new chairman of the National Association of Shinkin Banks (President of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation), expects the Bank of Japan's financial policy operation to continue in an accommodative state for a while. In addition, he revealed the outlook that even if the policy interest rate were to be raised, it would be around 0.25% over the next year.

Market cautious of intervention in the yen exchange rate, no sudden changes expected - more emphasis on the level of 152 yen than the range of fluctuations.
The market is on guard against the government and Bank of Japan's intervention in the exchange rate. This is because there was a sudden increase in yen depreciation, prompting government officials to strengthen the yen-selling pressure all at once. However, the fluctuations that the Ministry of Finance has emphasized as a justification for intervention are currently being contained. The government places more importance on the level of 152 yen as a 'defense line' rather than the range of fluctuations, creating such expectations.

Large manufacturers' business sentiment deteriorates for the first time in 4 quarters according to the March Tankan survey by the Bank of Japan.
In the Bank of Japan's Tankan survey of short-term economic outlook for March, the business sentiment index (DI) for large manufacturers deteriorated by 2 points from the previous December 2023 survey (+13) to +11. This represents the first deterioration in 4 quarters.

Rakuten Group - buying sentiment, restructuring of financial businesses - aiming for integration of banking, securities, and cards = Nikkei
$Rakuten Group (4755.JP)$The company is showing a buying mood. Several media outlets reported on the 1st that the company has decided to reorganize its financial subsidiary. According to an article in the online edition of the Nihon Keizai Shimbun on the same day, the company is planning to consolidate its Rakuten Card and Rakuten Securities into one group, aiming for a listing in October. $Rakuten Bank (5838.JP)$First Life Insurance - Continued Rise, Formulating a New Mid-term Plan, Aiming for a Revised Profit of 400 billion yen in FY2026

The stock continued to rise. The company announced on the 29th that it has formulated a medium-term management plan for the period from 2024 to 2026.
$Dai-ichi Life Holdings (8750.JP)$The stock continued to rise. The company announced on the 29th that it has formulated a medium-term management plan for the period from 2024 to 2026.