Japan, Korean Stocks Gain on Strait of Hormuz Reopening Hopes South Korea’s Kospi Index surged as much as 5.2%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Stock Average climbed 3% on June 15, 2026, driven by optimism over the potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The broader Topix index in Tokyo also rose 2.3%, with electronics and banking sectors leading the gains. Oil prices dropped sharply, and the U.S. dollar weakened against the Japanese yen as investors anticipated a U.S.-Iran peace deal signed on June 19. President Donald Trump announced via social media that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen following the agreement, a move supported by Iranian state media. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had previously hinted at the deal’s imminent signing. The unblocking of the strait, a critical oil transit route, is expected to alleviate supply chain pressures that have disrupted Asian manufacturing since the conflict began. Before the blockade, Japan sourced over 90% of its oil imports from the Middle East, leading to production cuts and price spikes in the petrochemical industry. Analysts highlighted the broader market implications of the deal. Shoji Hirakawa, chief global strategist at Tokai Tokyo Intelligence Lab, noted that falling oil prices would likely boost not only technology stocks but also manufacturers and other sectors that had been sold off earlier in the year. However, he cautioned that uncertainty over nuclear agreements between the U.S. and Iran could temper the market’s optimism. The Nikkei 225 had previously reached a record high in early June but had since faced volatility due to shifting Middle East tensions and concerns about overheating in the AI sector. The recent rally reflects renewed confidence in global energy markets and the potential for sustained economic stability.#strait_of_hormuz #nikkei_225 #kospi_index #bank_of_japan #topix_index
