Asia-Pacific markets traded mostly higher Monday as investors assessed the resignation of Japan’s prime minister and eyed key economic data in the region.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225
rose 0.95% after Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation Sunday, following weeks of mounting pressure over his national election defeat late last year. The Topix climbed 0.51%.
The Japanese yen weakened 0.64% to 148.33 against the greenback.
“Japan is now set for a period of extended uncertainty going into Q4 2025,” wrote analysts from BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions. “Although the next LDP leader would ordinarily automatically become prime minister, it is theoretically possible for the opposition to band together under a rival candidate for the premiership.”
