The Japanese stock market was higher in early trading, and the yen weakened sharply after the Bank of Japan raised interest rates generally expected by the market on Friday. The Nikkei Index rose 1.5% to 50,257.94 points. Chip-related stocks led the way. SoftBank Group rose 6.7%, Kioxia rose 5.7%, and Tokyo Electronics rose 5.1%. The dollar was reported at 157.56 yen against the yen, up from 155.95 yen when the Tokyo stock market closed on Friday. Investors are closely watching Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's progress in policies and measures to boost the country's economy.

The Japanese stock market was higher in early trading, and the yen weakened sharply after the Bank of Japan raised interest rates generally expected by the market on Friday. The Nikkei Index rose 1.5% to 50,257.94 points. Chip-related stocks led the way. SoftBank Group rose 6.7%, Kioxia rose 5.7%, and Tokyo Electronics rose 5.1%. The dollar was reported at 157.56 yen against the yen, up from 155.95 yen when the Tokyo stock market closed on Friday. Investors are closely watching Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's progress in policies and measures to boost the country's economy.