Japanese investors sell foreign stocks in April as energy costs rise

Japanese investors sold foreign stocks in April for the first time in four months, divesting a net 636.4 billion yen ($4.04 billion) due to rising energy costs and inflation concerns. This marked the largest monthly net sales since October 2025. While selloff in foreign bonds eased to 219.2 billion yen, trust accounts withdrew 1.85 trillion yen from foreign stocks, the biggest pullout since June 2025. However, investment trust management companies and life insurers were net buyers of foreign stocks, investing 1.25 trillion yen and 333.1 billion yen, respectively.