Nikkei 225 closes up 0.5% at 61,142.35; Kospi falls 1%

The Japan-Korea divergence is the real signal here: the Nikkei's gain outpaced the Topix, suggesting strength was concentrated in larger names rather than broad-based, while the Kospi's sharper decline points to a distinct local driver rather than a shared regional mood. For crypto and RWA watchers, this is background noise unless the split reflects shifting risk appetite that later shows up in tokenized equity or digital-asset flows. Whether the two markets continue to decouple, and whether Korea's weakness spreads, is the open question.