ChiNext Index rose more than 2% in afternoon trading; Shenzhen Composite Index +1.05%, Shanghai Composite +0.22%, STAR 50 Index nearly +5%. Gains were led by memory chips, advanced packaging and lithography equipment stocks.

At a Thursday meeting, Bank of Japan branch chiefs said Japan's economy remains broadly resilient despite Middle East tensions, rising oil and a weak yen. They noted geopolitical-driven logistics disruptions and raw-material shortages have weighed on exports and production, but that the risk of a sharp downturn has eased as firms shift sourcing and adjust shipping routes. The branch assessment could reinforce short-term hawkish pressure; overnight index swaps currently price at least one BOJ rate hike by year-end.

Mehr News Agency reported sounds of explosions in Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan province, southern Iran late on July 8 local time.