(April 19): Foreign investors continued purchasing Japanese stocks in the week to April 12, driven by a weaker yen and robust performance in chip-related stocks.

They secured stocks worth ¥829.05 billion (RM25.7 billion) worth during the week, following net purchases of ¥829.45 billion in the previous week, data from stock exchanges showed.

Foreigners poured about ¥233.5 billion into derivative contracts, marking their first weekly net purchase in five. Japanese cash equity markets also attracted about ¥595.5 billion of overseas capital.

The technology sector, particularly chip stocks, buoyed the Nikkei, which registered a 1.36% jump last week. Tokyo Electron climbed 6%, while Lasertec rose approximately 9.5%.

However, the Nikkei has lost 3.65% this week amd geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, a sell-off in Wall Street and profit booking by domestic investors.

Still, the index rose 0.31% on Thursday as chip stocks rebounded from early losses and bank stocks rallied.

In the bond market, foreign investors purchased about ¥50.7 billion in long-term Japanese bonds last week, a reversal from net sales of ¥348.9 billion the week prior, as per Ministry of Finance data.

However, short-term Japanese debt securities experienced a substantial net outflow of ¥3.8 trillion, contrasting with significant net inflows the previous week.

Japanese domestic investors sold about ¥1 trillion in long-term foreign bonds, marking the second net sale in three weeks.

However, they bought ¥5.2 billion in short-term debt instruments, breaking a three-week selling streak.

They also bought ¥53.9 billion of overseas equities after two consecutive weeks of net selling.