Topix hits 15-year high

JAPAN’S Topix index climbed to the highest close in more than 15 years. Lenders including Mizuho Financial Group gained after the Bank of Japan raised the benchmark interest rate to 0.5%.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell 25.91, or 0.1%, to 17,913.21 after declining 0.5% in earlier trading.