PRE-MARKET JAPANESE AND SOUTH KOREAN STOCK NEWS

Nidec (6594 JT) - Moody's downgraded the Co.'s credit rating to noninvestment grade, due to uncertainty about the reliability of financial disclosures and governance risks by the company. (Moody's)

TOTO (5332 JT) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Goldman Sachs.

• Japanese Core Inflation Rate YoY (Dec) Y/Y 2.4% vs. Exp. 2.4% (Prev. 3.0%); Inflation Rate YoY (Dec) Y/Y 2.1% (Exp. 2.2%, Prev. 2.9%)
• Japan's Economy Minister said they are closely watching both domestic and foreign market moves.
• Japan reverses FY26 primary balance surplus view to a deficit, via Bloomberg; Japan had expected to achieve a key fiscal goal in FY26. Primary deficit is now projected to show a deficit of around JPY 0.8tln of GDP, in the year starting April. The Government had previously forecasted a surplus of approx JPY 3.6tln in August.
• Japanese PM Takaichi said she will look at the budget balance over the next few years, instead of focusing on balance in a single year.
• Japanese copper smelters reportedly remain in discussions over charges for 2026 with miners.

Hanwha Aerospace (012450 KS) - Co. may secure a major Norwegian long-range rocket procurement contract as early as next month after Norway’s parliament is expected to vote on the multibillion-dollar project early next week. (Yonhap)

Korean Air Lines (003490 KS) - The Co., alongside Asiana, is planning to ban in-flight use of power banks. (Newswires)