Japan's Nikkei hits record high, yen steady after BOJ hikes rates as expected

Japan's Nikkei 225 hit a record high of 69,916.34, gaining 0.8% after the Bank of Japan raised interest rates as expected, with the move occurring during the midday trading break. The yen held around 160.21 per dollar, still above the intervention-sensitive level, while 10-year JGB yields rose 0.5 bps to 2.625%. Analysts described the hike as not hawkish enough to trigger a major yen repricing, making it mildly supportive for Japanese equities.