Solid results of Bank of Japan's Tankan corporate sentiment survey released earlier on Wednesday support the central bank's view that Middle East tensions are unlikely to cause a significant economic downturn, says Mizuho Securities economist Ryosuke Katagi. The headline index measuring sentiment among large manufacturers rose to the highest level since March 2018. The survey also shows a rise in corporate inflation expectations. "The latest data could prompt the BOJ to become more concerned that underlying inflation will shift above its 2% target," Katagi says.(megumi.fujikawa@wsj.com)