Japanese stocks closed higher, driven by gains in the auto sector as a weaker yen boosted profit growth prospects. Nissan surged 6.6% and Toyota (TM, Financial) rose 6.0%. The Nikkei index increased by 1.1% to finish at 39,568.06 points. The USD/JPY rate was 157.39, slightly up from 157.18. Japan's 10-year government bond yield rose by 2 basis points to 1.085%.
Conversely, South Korean stocks declined, impacted by losses in battery and internet stocks. The KOSPI index fell 0.4% to 2,429.67 points. The Korean won dropped to its lowest level in over 15 years against the dollar, diminishing investment appeal in the South Korean market. The USD/KRW rate closed at 1,464.80, marking the highest point in Seoul's onshore trading since March 2009. Samsung's battery division fell 3.1%, and internet giant Naver dropped 1.3%. South Korea's 10-year government bond yield increased by 1.8 basis points to 2.894%.
