Japan’s stock exchange, which comprises five
regional stock exchanges. Its most prominent market indicator is the Nikkei
225. On April 1, 1949, three stock exchanges were established in Tokyo, Osaka,
and Nagoya. Trading on these exchanges began on May 16. In July of that same
year, five additional stock exchanges were established in Kyoto (merged into
Osaka Securities Exchange in March 2001), Kobe (dissolved in October 1967),
Hiroshima (merged into Tokyo Stock Exchange in March 2000), Fukuoka, and
Niigata (merged with Tokyo Stock Exchange in March 2000). In addition, the
Sapporo Securities Exchange was established in April 1950.
A variety of financial
products are traded on the exchange in addition to stocks such as bonds and
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). The Tokyo Stock Exchange was
demutualized in November 2001.