Market Performance - The Nikkei 225 index opened high, expanding gains over 1%, and as of the report, it was up by 666 points, reaching 57,232.49 points [1] - The South Korean stock market was closed due to the Lunar New Year holiday [1] Currency Exchange - The Japanese yen saw a short-term rise, with the USD/JPY exchange rate reported at 153.483 [1][2] - The USD/JPY experienced a change of +0.196, or +0.13%, from the previous close of 153.287 [2] Government Changes - On February 18, the entire cabinet of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida resigned, and a new prime minister will be elected in the afternoon session of the Japanese Diet [1] Bond Market - Japanese government bond yields fell across the board, with the 10-year yield dropping to 2.114% and the 30-year yield falling to 3.392% [3][4] Precious Metals - International precious metals saw a strong rally after a low opening, with spot gold reaching up to $4,900, marking a 0.43% increase [4][5] - Spot silver initially dropped over 1.6% but later reported a slight increase of 0.15%, currently at $73.6 per ounce [4][6] Trade Balance - Japan's Ministry of Finance reported a trade deficit of 1,152.6 billion yen for January [6]

Market Overview - The Nikkei 225 index opened high, expanding gains over 1%, rising by 666 points to 57,232.49 points as of the report [1] - The South Korean stock market was closed due to the Lunar New Year holiday [1] Currency and Bond Market - The Japanese yen experienced a short-term rise, with the USD/JPY exchange rate reported at 153.483 [1] - Japanese government bond yields fell across the board, with the 10-year yield dropping to 2.114%, a decrease of 0.024 (1.12%) [2] - The 30-year Japanese government bond yield decreased to 3.392%, down by 0.001 (0.03%) [2] Political Developments - On February 18, the entire cabinet of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida resigned, with a new prime minister to be elected later that day [1] - According to the Japanese constitution, the cabinet must resign upon the first convening of the National Diet after a House of Representatives election [1] Trade Data - The Japanese Ministry of Finance reported a trade deficit of 1,152.6 billion yen for January [2] Precious Metals - International precious metals saw a strong rally after a low opening, with spot gold touching $4,900, up by 0.43% [2] - Spot silver initially fell over 1.6%, currently reported at $73.6 per ounce, with a slight increase of 0.15% [2]

Market Performance - The Nikkei 225 index opened high and expanded its gains by over 1%, rising by 666 points to 57,232.49 points as of the report [1] - The South Korean stock market was closed due to the Lunar New Year holiday [1] Political Developments - On February 18, the entire cabinet of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida resigned, as required by the Japanese constitution following the first session of the National Diet after a House of Representatives election [3] - The National Diet will hold elections for a new Prime Minister in the afternoon of February 18, local time [3] Bond Market - The yield on Japan's 10-year government bonds was reported at 2.114%, down by 0.024 (1.12%) [4] - Other government bond yields included 30-year at 3.392%, 5-year at 1.602%, 1-year at 1.022%, and 3-year at 1.364%, with respective changes of -0.001 (0.03%), -0.015 (0.93%), 0.000 (0.00%), and -0.010 (0.73%) [4] Commodity Market - Gold prices rose, reaching a peak of $4,900 per ounce, with an increase of 0.43% [4] - Silver prices initially dropped over 1.6% but later reported a slight increase of 0.15%, currently at $73.6 per ounce [4][6] Trade Data - Japan's Ministry of Finance reported a trade deficit of 1,152.6 billion yen for January [6]