The Nikkei 225 Index rose 1% to above 57,000 while the broader Topix Index gained 1% to 3,800 on Wednesday, recouping losses from earlier in the week as Japan reported strong export growth. Exports surged 16.8% year-on-year in January, marking the fastest expansion in nearly four years, driven by strong shipments to Asia and Western Europe. Exports to China, Japan’s largest trading partner, jumped 32%, rebounding from a modest 5.6% increase in December that had been weighed down by diplomatic tensions. Separately, Japan announced plans to invest $36 billion in US oil, gas, and critical mineral projects as part of its $550 billion commitment under a trade agreement with US President Donald Trump. Financials led the rally, with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Mizuho Financial Group, and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group rising between 2.1% and 3.2%. Select technology and AI-related names also advanced, including Tokyo Electron (+3%), Fujikura (+3.2%), and Lasertec (+1.7%).
Japan's main stock market index, the JP225, rose to 57141 points on February 18, 2026, gaining 1.02% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 6.64% and is up 45.90% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Japan. Historically, the Japan Stock Market Index (JP225) reached an all time high of 58045 in February of 2026. Japan Stock Market Index (JP225) - data, forecasts, historical chart - was last updated on February 18 of 2026.
Japan's main stock market index, the JP225, rose to 57141 points on February 18, 2026, gaining 1.02% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 6.64% and is up 45.90% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Japan. The Japan Stock Market Index (JP225) is expected to trade at 55786.05 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate it to trade at 48241.24 in 12 months time.