BBC World Service – World Business Report
Nikkei Hits Record After Takaichi Victory
BBC World Service – World Business Report
•February 9, 2026•9 min
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BBC World Service – World Business Report•Feb 9, 2026
Why It Matters
Understanding the Nikkei's record rise offers insight into how political stability can boost investor confidence and shape economic policy in Japan. Meanwhile, the trade and environmental topics underscore the interconnected risks and opportunities facing global markets, making the episode relevant for investors, policymakers, and anyone interested in sustainable growth.
Key Takeaways
- •Nikkei hits 57,000, driven by election stability.
- •Japan plans higher spending, tax cuts, tech and AI focus.
- •India‑US trade pact lowers tariffs, sparks farmer opposition.
- •FedEx to acquire InPost for $9.25 billion, expanding logistics.
- •Business‑for‑Nature reports $2.6 trillion subsidies harm environment.
Pulse Analysis
The Japanese market surged past the 57,000‑point mark after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi secured a two‑thirds parliamentary majority. Investors praised the continuity of the Liberal Democratic Party, interpreting the win as a guarantee of policy stability. Takaichi’s agenda—higher government spending, consumer tax cuts, and targeted investment in technology and artificial intelligence—has been positioned as a catalyst for renewed growth, reinforcing Japan’s appeal to global capital.
In parallel, the United States‑India trade agreement reshaped tariff structures, cutting duties from 50% to 18% on many goods. While the deal opens the Indian market to U.S. industrial products, it also lowers barriers for American agricultural imports such as soybean oil, sparking fierce opposition from Indian farmers worried about competition and genetically modified crops. Trade Minister Piyush Goyal insists safeguards remain for dairy and GM products, but the agricultural sector remains a political flashpoint.
Corporate headlines added further depth: FedEx announced a $9.25 billion acquisition of Poland’s InPost, bolstering its European parcel‑locker network and signaling aggressive expansion in e‑commerce logistics. Meanwhile, a new Business‑for‑Nature report highlighted $2.6 trillion in subsidies that unintentionally damage ecosystems, urging policymakers to redirect incentives toward natural solutions like wetland‑based water treatment. These intersecting trends—political stability driving market optimism, trade policy reshaping agricultural landscapes, and sustainability pressures on corporate strategy—underscore the complex forces shaping global business in 2024.
Episode Description
Long:Japanese stocks have surged after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s resounding election win, pushing the Nikkei to a record high. Andrew Peach looks at what it means for Japan’s economy.
We’ll also hear about concerns from Indian farmers over the country’s interim trade agreement with the United States.
And why a major new international report says businesses often have more financial incentive to damage nature than protect it.
Show Notes
Title: Nikkei hits record after Takaichi victory
Date: 09 February 2026
Article:
Japan’s Nikkei index has climbed past 57,000 points for the first time ever following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s landslide election victory.
Long: Japanese stocks have surged after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s resounding election win, pushing the Nikkei to a record high. Andrew Peach looks at what it means for Japan’s economy.
We’ll also hear about concerns from Indian farmers over the country’s interim trade agreement with the United States, and why a major new international report says businesses often have more financial incentive to damage nature than protect it.
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