Press Conference by SUZUKI Shunichi, Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Financial Services

(Excerpt)

(Friday, February 9, 2024, 8:45 am to 8:49 am)

Q.

I would like to ask you about the Nikkei 225 stock index. Yesterday, February 8, the Nikkei 225 rose to 36,863.28 yen, its highest value in 34 years since February 1990, during the bubble economy. Deputy Governor Uchida of the Bank of Japan predicted that the Bank would maintain a relaxed financial environment even if it terminated its negative interest rate policy, and it is said that this led buy orders to increase. Can you tell us how you take and analyze this new record and foresee the future as the minister in charge? 

A.

Trends in share prices are determined by the market each day owing to factors such as economic conditions and corporate activities, and therefore, I should refrain from identifying factors and making comments on the future of the market.
The Financial Services Agency will continue to closely watch market trends.