softbank group grew 5.5%. fast retailing 10%. eager to buy these blue chips as they looked to cover short-term losses. it was the same story with financial stocks. mitsubishi up 7%. and nomura holdings also rose. now, the question is how sustainable is this buying spree? one fund manager told me if you look at the sectors that did well today, it shows that investors are still defensive. kddi pharmaceuticals was up. it seems likely that most investors will hold off placing new orders. they'll be waiting for the u.s. fed policy meeting that takes place next week. easing the markets for now, but to get a clearer sense of direction, we have to wait until next week. aika nanao. >> thanks. >>> moving to others in the asia pacific region. the shanghai composite added 2.3% to hit its highest close in nearly three weeks. following weak trade data investors speculated the government may use further stimulus to support the slowing economy. other markets in the region were lifted by the rally in tokyo and shanghai. taiwan surged nearly 3.6%