The 40-year Japanese government bond yield touched 4% for the first time since trading in 2007.

The yield on Japan's 40-year government bonds rose to 4%, reaching the highest level since trading began in 2007 and hitting the highest yield on Japanese government bonds in over 30 years. The yield on the 40-year government bonds rose by 5.5 basis points. Japanese Prime Minister Yasunao Hikichi confirmed that early elections will be held on February 8, promising to reduce the consumption tax on food to zero and implement it for two years, seeking to strengthen the ruling coalition's slim majority in the Lower House.