(Updates prices after BOJ decision, adding yen and bonds;
changes media packaging information to JAPAN-MARKETS from
JAPAN-STOCKS)
By Kevin Buckland
TOKYO, June 16 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average rose
to a record high on Tuesday after theBank of Japan raised
interest rates, as had been widely expected, without signaling
urgency for further tightening in monetary policy.
The yen maintained a slightly stronger tone against the
dollar and Japanese government bonds slipped after the decision.
The Nikkei gained 0.8% to 69,871.13 as of 0340 GMT,
10 minutes after reopening from the midday recess, touching
69,916.34 for the first time ever.
The broader Topix flipped from morning losses to
edge up 0.2% at 4,007.36.
The BOJ's decision came during the trading break for stocks
and bonds and had little initial effect on the yen, which
remained around 0.1% firmer at 160.215 per dollar.
However, that was still on the weaker side of the 160-per-dollar
level considered a line in the sand for intervention by Japanese
officials.
"The BOJ delivered what markets expected," said Charu
Chanana, chief investment strategist at Saxo. "But the reaction
shows this was not hawkish enough to force a major yen
repricing."
The central bank "is still moving in a very gradual way and
continues to say financial conditions will remain
accommodative," she added. "This is mildly supportive for
Japanese equities because the BOJ is tightening, but not in a
way that threatens liquidity or earnings."
Benchmark 10-year JGB futures lost 0.28 yen to
127.98 yen. The yield on the 10-year cash bond
was 0.5 basis point higher at 2.625%. Yields rise when bond
prices fall.
Of the Nikkei's 225 components, 83 rose versus 142 that
fell, with some heavily weighted AI stocks having an outsized
impact in buoying the market.
Chip-testing machinery makers outperformed, with Advantest ( ADTTF )
gaining 5.1%, as did data centre plays, with Fujikura ( FKURF )
and Furukawa Electric ( FUWAF ) up 9.9% and 7.5%,
respectively.