PRE-MARKET JAPANESE AND SOUTH KOREAN STOCKS NEWS: BoJ policy decision and Trump-Takaichi summit are among today's key events

JAPAN

Asahi Kasei (3407 JT) - Co., alongside Nippon Steel (5401 JT) and Nippon Steel Trading, has launched a recycling initiative to convert pure titanium scrap from electrolysis cell manufacturing into raw material for pure titanium. (Newswires)

Bandai Namco Holdings (7832 JT) - Co. is seeing a sharp rise in sales related to its “Mobile Suit Gundam” intellectual property and is seeking to boost recognition abroad, including through a Hollywood adaptation, as franchise sales near a USD 1.7bln target. (Nikkei)

Daio Paper Corporation (3880 JT) - Co. has agreed to acquire an additional 16.23% stake in Hokuetsu Corporation (3865 JT) from Daio Kaiun and Misuga Kaiun for JPY 26.3bln. (Newswires)

Konica Minolta (4902 JT) - Co. will spend JPY 1.8bln to expand production capacity for optical components used in chip-testing equipment by 2.6 times next fiscal year from the level two years prior. (Nikkei)

Kioxia Holdings (285A JT) - Bain Capital has sold an additional portion of its stake in the Co., reducing its ownership in the Japanese memory maker to less than 30%. (Nikkei)

Other News

Japan's second phase of US investment pledge is seen reaching USD 63bln, while the construction of nuclear reactors and gas plants is expected to be announced at the summit between Trump and Takaichi on Thursday. (Newswires/Nikkei)

Japan and France eye sharing satellite data in space defence collaboration. (Nikkei)

SOUTH KOREA

Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) - Co. has signed an agreement with Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) to supply its latest high bandwidth memory chips for the US firm’s next-generation AI accelerators. (Yonhap)

SK Hynix (000660 KS) - Co. plans to establish an autonomous semiconductor manufacturing facility by 2030 to boost production capacity amid rising demand for AI chips. (Yonhap)

Tech - Coupang (CPNG) has established an “AI factory” in collaboration with Nvidia Corp. to accelerate innovation across its logistics and delivery operations. (Yonhap)