MARKETS: Asian stock markets rise – Japan wants to strengthen the yen

Most Asian stock markets rose slightly on Tuesday, following Wall Street’s gains the previous day.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index was flat, but the broader Topix index was up 0.5 percent.

The value of the yen continued to weaken, although several representatives of the Japanese government have signaled that they are ready to intervene in the weakness of the currency.

For example, Japan’s finance minister Satsuki Katayama said in an interview on Monday that the administration has “free hands” to take bold measures against exchange rate movements. At the time of review, one dollar equaled 156.10 yen and one euro equaled 183.76 yen.

Stock indices in other parts of Asia have also been trending upwards on Tuesday.

Korea’s Kospi index was up 0.2 percent and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was down 0.2 percent. Mainland China’s CSI 300 index was roughly at the same level as its Monday closing price.

Market futures predict that Wall Street will open to a gentle decline in the afternoon Finnish time.

At 8:40 a.m., one euro was worth 1.1772 dollars and 0.8929 pounds.