Weaker Yen Boosts Japanese Stocks as Oil Prices Ease

Japanese stocks continued their upward trend on Thursday, September 17, 2026, as the yen's weakness against the US dollar lifted exporters. The Nikkei 225 index rose by 0.33% to 64,136, while the Topix gained 0.8% to 4,094.

The gains came after the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates, signaling further tightening to control inflation. This move led to a weakening of the yen against the dollar, which supported the outlook for Japanese exporters.

Lower oil prices also contributed to the positive sentiment, as investors expected crude flows through Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline to resume soon, easing concerns about higher energy costs for Japan.