Japan: Shares Hold Near Record Highs.

The Nikkei 225 Index fell 0.8% toward 59,000 on Friday, pulling back from record highs as investors weighed prospects of a permanent ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran. In the latest developments, US President Donald Trump expressed confidence that the conflict with Iran could end soon, claiming Tehran had agreed to terms including abandoning nuclear ambitions and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. He also announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, a move that could support further US-Iran negotiations. In Japan, Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said the central bank must take Japan’s low real rates into account when setting policy. Markets remain divided on whether the BOJ will raise interest rates again later this month. Tech stocks led the pullback, with losses from Kioxia Holdings (-2.3%), SoftBank Group (-1.2%), Lasertec (-3%), Tokyo Electron (-2.9%), and Fujikura (-0.5%).