Japanese equities, led by the Nikkei 225 index, achieved unprecedented record highs on January 14, 2026, soaring past the 54,000-point mark. This robust performance was largely driven by growing speculation that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi might call an early snap election, which investors anticipate could pave the way for additional fiscal stimulus measures in Japan. The rally also saw the broader TOPIX index reach an all-time high. Meanwhile, the Japanese yen weakened to its lowest level against the U.S. dollar in nearly two years, further benefiting export-oriented Japanese companies. In contrast, Chinese stocks, after initially showing gains, reversed course as authorities implemented a significant policy change. China's major stock exchanges—Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing—raised the minimum margin requirement for leveraged stock purchases from 80% to 100%. This move, approved by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), was described as a "counter-cyclical adjustment" aimed at moderating leverage levels, safeguarding investor interests, and promoting long-term financial stability. While the change applies only to newly opened margin contracts, it effectively increases the cost of speculating in Chinese markets, thereby dampening their recent momentum. Across the broader Asian markets, performance was mixed, with South Korea's KOSPI seeing a modest rise and Australia's ASX 200 remaining flat. India's Nifty 50 index, however, edged lower, partly due to concerns over higher U.S. trade tariffs against New Delhi. This highlights a varied landscape across Asian economies and their respective financial markets. The original Investing.com article accurately captured these contrasting movements within Asia's stock markets.