The Nikkei 225 sank 4.5% on Friday, extending a global stock rout that started following the release of weak US economic data. The Bank of Japan (BOJ) raised interest rates by 15 basis points to 0.25% on Wednesday, its second hike this year, and announced plans to taper off its policy of bond buying. ”The hike has narrowed the difference in interest rate between the United States and Japan, which pushed the Japanese yen higher against the greenback. Combined with strong corporate earnings and effective corporate governance reforms, the weak yen propelled the Nikkei 225 to all-time highs this year. “From a Japanese equity perspective, the earnings boost from a weak yen is set to diminish,” Citi analysts said on Thursday.

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