The Nikkei 225 rose 1.3% to around 40,100 on Friday, while the broader Topix Index advanced 1.1% to 2,835, as Japanese equities rallied to multi-month highs following a strong session on Wall Street. Market sentiment improved after the White House downplayed the urgency of upcoming tariff deadlines, easing investor concerns over a prolonged trade war. Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt indicated the deadlines were flexible and could be extended. Meanwhile, investors weighed fresh data showing Tokyo’s core inflation slowed in June but remained well above the Bank of Japan’s 2% target, sustaining expectations for further rate hikes. Gains were led by major index constituents, including Disco (up 5.9%), Tokyo Electron (4.6%), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (2.1%), Kawasaki Heavy Industries (6.2%), and SoftBank Group (1.5%).