Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average ended higher on Friday even as the Bank of Japan (BOJ) raised its policy interest rate to its highest level in about 31 years, said Timothy Pope, a market analyst for China Global Television Network (CGTN).
The benchmark index closed up 882.70 points, or 1.38 percent, at 65,018.95, as the central bank lifted its policy rate to 1.25 percent from 1.0 percent.
The rally was driven by a falling yen and sliding oil prices, with AI and semiconductor heavyweights pulling the market higher. Advantest and Kioxia each surged more than 7 percent, while tech investor SoftBank Group also gained.
"Over in Japan, we saw the Nikkei 225 jumping today 1.4 percent -- quite a strong gain there, as a falling yen and sliding oil prices really supported the stock market. That left the index 1.6 percent higher for the week," said Pope.
Pope noted that the rate hike had been largely priced in by investors, but the decision was not unanimous -- two BOJ board members dissented, sparking some doubt about how quickly the central bank will continue tightening. Coming into the meeting, markets had been pricing in close to two BOJ hikes by the end of the year.
But today's decision really did land more dovishly than investors had expected. BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda didn't entirely reverse that impression either in his press conference later this afternoon. He left the door open to further hikes, and potentially even larger ones or successive moves if inflation demands it. But he also said the bank has no present timetable for rate increases and warned against over-tightening Japanese monetary policy as well," the analyst said.
Tokyo stocks end higher despite BOJ rate hike: analyst
China's aircraft carrier Fujian has been steadily moving from initial combat readiness toward full operational capability over the past year since its commissioning.
Commissioned at a naval port in Sanya City, south China's Hainan Province on Nov 5 last year, the Fujian is China's first domestically designed and built electromagnetic catapult aircraft carrier, bringing the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy into a three-carrier era.
With trials and training moving forward steadily, the Fujian has registered a series of landmark milestones along its journey.
It was launched and named on June 17, 2022, making China one of a handful of countries worldwide capable of building large aircraft carriers.
From May 1 to 8, 2024, the Fujian completed its maiden sea trial. Tests on its power, electrical and other systems and equipment met expectations.
On Sept 12, 2025, a naval spokesperson confirmed the Fujian had sailed through the Taiwan Strait to carry out scientific research, tests and training in relevant waters of the South China Sea.
Ten days later, China released footages showing the J-15T, J-35 and KJ-600 warplanes completing their first catapult takeoff and landing training aboard the Fujian, marking a major breakthrough in the verification of its electromagnetic catapult system.
On Nov 5, 2025, the carrier was formally commissioned at a commissioning and flag-presenting ceremony in Sanya.
Just 13 days after commissioning, the Fujian battle group conducted its first maritime live-force training, during which carrier-based aircraft including the J-35, J-15T, J-15DT and KJ-600 carried out electromagnetic catapult takeoffs and landings. The drills also covered battle group navigation and joint ship-aircraft search and rescue.
2026 is a critical year for the carrier's full transition from initial operational capability to full operational capability. The Fujian has completed electromagnetic catapult takeoff and landing drills for the J-35, J-15T and KJ-600, and staged multiple live-force training exercises across different sea areas.
China's aircraft carrier Fujian marks one year in service, moving toward full combat capability
