Japanese stocks rose in thin, choppy trade on Tuesday morning as growing expectations of an imminent US interest rate hike helped the dollar hold onto recent gains against the yen, burnishing the profit outlook for Japan’s exporters.

The Nikkei share average rose 0.6 per cent to 17,163.68 in late morning trade. Activity remained subdued as many investors sat on the sidelines awaiting fresh catalysts.

“I think the market remains open to all possibilities right now,” said Stefan Worrall, director of Japan equity sales at Credit Suisse.

“We’re in a low-turnover state of anticipation over global events like the Brexit vote and the FOMC meeting but also with regard to domestic elements like a possible delay of next year’s consumption tax increase and a possible snap election this summer. There’s a lot of noise and no clear decisions.”

Abe’s announcement

Domestic media reported Prime Minister Abe would make an announcement on Wednesday to address recent reports that he would delay an April 2017 sales tax increase by 2-1/2 years.

Data released earlier in the morning session showed Japanese industrial output unexpectedly rose 0.3 per cent in April, suggesting production is holding up despite weak exports and the impact from a series of earthquakes that struck Japan’s southern island of Kyushu during that month.

Weak yen

The yen initially strengthened following the data, but later resumed its weakening trend, underpinning automakers and other exporters.

Toyota Motor Corp climbed 2.6 per cent in late morning trade, while Nissan Motor Co Ltd shares gained 0.8 per cent and Honda Motor Co Ltd rose 0.7 per cent.

Tyre exporter Bridgestone Corp was up 1.6 per cent, while Panasonic Corp surged 3.5 per cent. The home appliance and electronics exporter was lifted by a weaker yen and by a Nikkei business daily report saying it would withdraw from making LCD panels for televisions due to strong price competition.

Japan Post Insurance Co climbed 2.6 per cent after the Nikkei business daily reported the insurer would raise premiums for young policy holders from August due to concerns that investment returns are being squeezed under the Bank of Japan’s negative interest rate policy.

The broader Topix rose 0.6 per cent to 1,373.95 in late morning trade and the JPX-Nikkei Index 400 was 0.6 per cent higher at 12,399.30.

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