- The Bank of Japan shocked financial markets overnight by adopting negative interest rates for the first time ever, in a desperate attempt to kickstart the world's number three economy.
- A rate of -0.1% will now apply to excess reserves parked at the central bank, which will extend the policy "as long as it is necessary."
- The decision saw global shares jump, the yen fall and sovereign bonds rally, and comes a day after the surprise resignation of Economy Minister Akira Amari.
- Nikkei +2.9% to 17,518.
- ETFs: DXJ, EWJ, FXY, YCS, DFJ, DBJP, NKY, JYN, JOF, EZJ, JEQ, JPNL, DXJS, EWV, YCL, SCJ, HEWJ, JSC, JPXN, JPP, QJPN, FJP, JPMV, DXJT, DXJR, DXJC, DXJH, JHDG, DXJF, HEGJ, JDG, HFXJ, JPN, JPNH, FXJP, HGJP