Nikkei Tops 62,000 as SoftBank, Ibiden Rally
Nikkei 225 topped 62,000 for the first time as Ibiden rose 22.43% and SoftBank Group jumped 16.45% in a tech-led session that pushed many stocks into double-digit gains.
Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 climbed past 62,000 for the first time on Thursday, advancing about 5% as a wave of gains in technology, materials and electronics stocks lifted the index.
Electronics maker Ibiden led the board with a 22.43% increase. SoftBank Group rose 16.45%, Mitsui Kinzoku gained 17.05%, Renesas Electronics added 13.42% and chemical firm Tosoh Corporation was up 11.03%. Several other tech-related suppliers and manufacturers posted double-digit single-day gains.
Trading resumed in Tokyo after the Golden Week holiday, allowing investors to react to a week’s worth of U.S. technology sector strength at the market open. Market participants said strong U.S. tech earnings and ongoing investor interest in artificial intelligence-related businesses supported buying.
U.S. markets provided a backdrop for the session: the Nasdaq reached another record and the S&P 500 closed at an all-time high of 7,365, more than 16% above its March 30 low.
Regional markets moved more modestly. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 1.48%, China’s CSI 300 edged up 0.13%, and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 advanced 0.83%. South Korea’s Kospi slipped 0.17% after reaching a record high on Wednesday.
Developments in U.S.-Iran negotiations added a note of caution. President Donald Trump said an agreement could be reached before his trip to China while also warning of possible military action if Iran rejects the proposed deal. Traders said that mixed messaging kept oil and other risk assets sensitive to headlines, affecting energy prices and sentiment.
Market participants highlighted AI-related demand and the course of U.S.-Iran talks as factors to watch for the near-term direction of Japanese equities.
