Nikkei Hits Record High Above 68,000 as Technology Shares Surge

Nikkei Closes Above 68,000 for First Time on Technology Stock Gains

Tokyo: Japan’s Nikkei index closed above the 68,000-point level for the first time today, supported by strong gains in artificial intelligence and semiconductor-related stocks.

The Nikkei 225 rose 2.5 percent to close at a record 68,402.13 points, just two days after surpassing the 67,000-point mark.

The broader Topix index also reached a historic milestone during trading by exceeding 4,000 points for the first time before ending the session up 1.8 percent at 3,996.2 points.

Shares of Kioxia Holdings advanced 7.2 percent, exceeding the 80,000-yen level for the first time after the memory-chip manufacturer announced plans to begin dividend payments from fiscal year 2027, supported by strong earnings results.

Tokyo Electron, a semiconductor equipment manufacturer, surged 13.4 percent to a record closing high, contributing the largest gain to the Nikkei index.

Meanwhile, semiconductor testing equipment producer Advantest rose 5.1 percent, providing additional support to the benchmark index.

Among Nikkei-listed companies, 164 stocks advanced, while 60 stocks declined.

On the downside, software testing company Shift fell 12.2 percent, recording the largest loss of the session, while film production and cinema operator Toho declined 4.1 percent.

Of the 33 industry sectors listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, 25 sectors closed higher, led by the non-ferrous metals sector, which gained 5.7 percent. The telecommunications sector was the weakest performer, declining by about 2 percent.

The gains came despite rising oil prices and continued geopolitical tensions in West Asia, as investors maintained strong interest in technology and semiconductor-related stocks.