Stocks in Japan traded in positive territory after NTT and Astellas Pharmacies increase dividends and share buyback. In Tokyo trading Nikkei 225 rose 1.18% or 164.82 at 14,118.55, and the broader Topix Index increased 1% or 12.99 at 1,373.04. The Bank of Japan reported that the Domestic Corporate Goods Price Index rose 3.7% from a year ago at 107.3 after adding 3.9% in March.
Mainichi news reported that Mitsubishi UFJ may take a write down 300 billion yen valuation losses in asset backed securities. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group fell 2.23% and Nomura declined 1.96% as a result.