Asian shares are mixed as chipmaker shares rally in Tokyo and Seoul

Asian equity markets opened mixed on Monday, 7 September 2026, as benchmarks in Tokyo and Seoul rose on gains in the semiconductor sector, while indices in Hong Kong and Shanghai slipped.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 closed at 66,104.93, a 1.7% rise. “The AI complex continues to provide the local equity markets with its most dependable growth pulse,” said former trader Stephen Innes, citing the sector's resilience.

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South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI gained 3.3% to close at 6,907.53.

In contrast, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng lost 1.1% to 25,377.12, and the Shanghai Composite shed 0.2% to 3,920.70.

Energy markets added another layer of volatility. Brent crude added 67 cents to $96.95 a barrel, following further escalation of the conflict with Iran. The U.S. Military denied that Iran had struck an uncrewed American military vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, calling the claim a total lie, according to reports from U.S. Central Command. State-run media in Tehran had claimed the vessel tried to enter a restricted area.

Iran's new head of the Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, announced that the country plans to establish an exclusion zone outside the Strait of Hormuz, targeting vessels it believes are attempting to transit the waterway. Rezaei stated that the zone would begin from the line of the U.S. Naval blockade, extend toward the Strait, and continue into the Persian Gulf. The move follows U.S. Strikes on three Iranian oil tankers in response to Tehran launching ballistic missiles at U.S. Warships.

Meanwhile, Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon have added a human toll to the regional flare-up. Lebanese authorities report that at least seven people were killed and an empty hospital was leveled during the latest attacks. The military actions occurred near an area of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Back in the United States, markets were closed on Monday for the Labor Day holiday. The previous week’s employment report showed employers added 162,000 jobs last month, a figure that could prompt the central bank to raise interest rates before the end of the year. The Federal Reserve’s next policy-making committee meeting is scheduled to end on 16 September, with August inflation figures expected on 11 September.

The currency markets also drew attention as the U.S. Dollar traded around 156.22 Japanese yen. According to market analyst Linh Tran at XS.com, market watchers are focused on the Bank of Japan's policy outlook ahead of its own policy board meeting later in the month.

Index	Change	Close
Nikkei 225	+1.7%	66,104.93
KOSPI	+3.3%	6,907.53
Hang Seng	-1.1%	25,377.12
Shanghai Composite	-0.2%	3,920.70
Brent Crude	+67 cents	$96.95

Looking ahead, investors will watch for several key developments. The Federal Reserve’s meeting concluding on 16 September could set the tone for global interest rates, while the unfolding situation regarding Iran's planned exclusion zone will influence shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.