What Time Does the Japan Stock Market Open?
Navigate the Japan stock market's hours. Get precise details on daily operations, global time zone impacts, and official closure dates for your investment strategy.
The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), a significant component of the Japan Exchange Group (JPX), is a major financial hub in Asia and the global economy. As one of the world’s largest stock exchanges, it plays a considerable role in the international financial system. Japan’s position as a leading global economy means the TSE’s performance offers a key indicator of economic health across the Asian region.
Daily Trading Hours
The Tokyo Stock Exchange operates Monday through Friday, adhering to Japan Standard Time (JST). The morning session begins at 9:00 AM JST and concludes at 11:30 AM JST. After a one-hour lunch break, the afternoon trading session commences at 12:30 PM JST. Trading continues until 3:00 PM JST.
Understanding Time Zone Differences
Japan Standard Time (JST) is set at UTC+9 and notably does not observe Daylight Saving Time. This fixed offset simplifies conversions to other global time zones, though the presence of Daylight Saving Time in other regions can introduce variations.
For those in the Eastern Time (ET) zone of the United States (EST, UTC-5; EDT, UTC-4), conversions require careful attention. When observing EST, a 14-hour difference means the 9:00 AM JST opening is 7:00 PM EST the previous day. The 11:30 AM JST lunch break begins at 9:30 PM EST, and the market reopens at 10:30 PM EST for its 12:30 PM JST start. The 3:00 PM JST close is 1:00 AM EST the next day.
During EDT, the 13-hour difference means the 9:00 AM JST opening is 8:00 PM EDT the previous day. The lunch break from 11:30 AM JST to 12:30 PM JST is from 10:30 PM EDT to 11:30 PM EDT the previous day. The 3:00 PM JST closing time is 2:00 AM EDT the following day.
In the Pacific Time (PT) zone (PST, UTC-8; PDT, UTC-7), the difference from JST can be 17 or 16 hours. When on PST, the 9:00 AM JST opening is 4:00 PM PST the previous day. Its 11:30 AM JST lunch break starts at 6:30 PM PST, and the 12:30 PM JST reopening is 7:30 PM PST. The 3:00 PM JST close is 10:00 PM PST on the previous calendar day.
When PDT is in effect, the 16-hour difference means the 9:00 AM JST opening is 5:00 PM PDT the previous day. The lunch break from 11:30 AM JST to 12:30 PM JST is between 7:30 PM PDT and 8:30 PM PDT the previous day. The 3:00 PM JST closing time is 11:00 PM PDT on the prior day.
For Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), both UTC+0, JST is consistently 9 hours ahead. The 9:00 AM JST opening is 12:00 AM UTC/GMT on the same calendar day. The 11:30 AM JST lunch break begins at 2:30 AM UTC/GMT, and trading resumes at 3:30 AM UTC/GMT for the 12:30 PM JST afternoon session. The market closes at 6:00 AM UTC/GMT, which is its 3:00 PM JST closing.
For Central European Time (CET, UTC+1), JST is 8 hours ahead, while for Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2), the difference is 7 hours. With CET, the 9:00 AM JST opening is 1:00 AM CET on the same day. The 11:30 AM JST to 12:30 PM JST lunch break is from 3:30 AM CET to 4:30 AM CET, and the 3:00 PM JST close is 7:00 AM CET.
When CEST is observed, the 9:00 AM JST opening is 2:00 AM CEST, the lunch break is from 4:30 AM CEST to 5:30 AM CEST, and the 3:00 PM JST close is 8:00 AM CEST.
Non-Trading Days
The Tokyo Stock Exchange observes regular closures on weekends. In addition to these standard weekend closures, the market halts operations on a number of Japanese national holidays throughout the year. Examples of non-trading days include:
New Year’s Day
National Foundation Day
Constitution Memorial Day
Greenery Day
Children’s Day
Marine Day
Mountain Day
Respect for the Aged Day
Culture Day
Labor Thanksgiving Day
If a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the market typically observes the closure on the next immediate weekday.