- Title: Tokyo Stock Exchange holds ceremony to mark start of stock trading
- Date: 4th January 2017
- Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (JANUARY 4, 2017) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** TOKYO STOCK EXCHANGE SIGN READING (English): "JPX TOKYO STOCK EXCHANGE" CEREMONY IN PROGRESS TOKYO MARKET CENTER ELECTRONIC SIGN READING (Japanese): "Happy new year. 2017 ceremony." JAPAN'S FINANCE MINISTER, TARO ASO, RINGING A BELL DURING THE CEREMONY ASO (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) TOKYO STOCK EXCHANGE CEO, AKIRA KIYOTA, SAYING: "If the saying that markets in the year of the monkey and rooster are raucous holds true, then this year will be clamorous indeed. Though I hope the all this year's commotion will be a positive one." CEREMONY IN PROGRESS PEOPLE WATCHING THE CEREMONY PEOPLE AT THE CEREMONY CLAPPING TO CELEBRATE
- Embargoed: 19th January 2017 03:12
- Keywords: Tokyo Stock Exchange Japan Trading Markets Open Ceremony
- Location: TOKYO, JAPAN
- City: TOKYO, JAPAN
- Country: Japan
- Topics: Economic Events
- Reuters ID: LVA0015XO01MV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) held a ceremony on Wednesday (January 4) to celebrate the beginning of stock trading in 2017, which some say is traditionally could be a rough and choppy year for the markets.
"If the saying that markets in the year of the monkey and rooster are raucous holds true, then this year will be clamous indeed. Though I hope the all this year's commotion will be a positive one," TSE's CEO Akira Kiyota said during the ceremony, referring to the Chinese Zodiac Animal signs and a market saying that prices are likely to face a rough and choppy year during the years of the monkey and rooster. The year 2017 is according to Japanese interpretation of the Chinese zodiac calendar the year of the rooster.
The ceremonial bell signalling the opening of the market was rung by Japan's Finance Minister Taro Aso as Tokyo Stock Exchange staff and nearby brokers attended, some in kimonos or traditional Japanese clothing.
After the ceremony, the TSE's market began trading. The Nikkei 225 opened at 19,298.68, up 184.31 points.
A few Tokyo residents interviewed on what is traditionally also the first official day of work since the new year, expressed hope for this year's economic success, while others were more concerned about what's to come after this year.
"I'm hoping for stable development. It's very unstable right now, so if policies that promote stability are put forward that would be great." Tokyo worker Yuichi Momose said.
"I'm not expecting much this year. I'm more concerned about what's going to happen after the Olympics (Tokyo 2020), so in four years time. I'm worried there may be economic instability after the Olympics are over." Tokyo resident Masako Sato said. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
