The Nikkei 225 Index fell 3.38% to close at 53,372, while the broader Topix Index lost 2.91% to 3,609 on Thursday, reversing gains from the previous session as oil prices surged again following fresh attacks on energy facilities in the Middle East, stoking inflation concerns. Japan remains highly exposed to oil supply shocks due to its reliance on oil imports from the Middle East. Japanese shares also followed a sharp Wall Street selloff overnight, triggered by hot US PPI data and rising inflation forecasts from the Federal Reserve, which narrowed the scope for interest rate cuts. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan kept its policy rate unchanged in a widely expected move, though board member Hajime Takata dissented for the second meeting in a row, proposing a 25 basis point hike to 1%, citing upside inflation risks. Tech stocks led the decline, with sharp losses from Kioxia Holdings (-4.4%), Advantest (-4.6%) and Disco Corp (-1.6%). Japanese markets will be closed on Friday for a holiday.
Japan's main stock market index, the JP225, fell to 53373 points on March 19, 2026, losing 3.38% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has declined 6.08%, though it remains 41.66% higher than a year ago, 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 59332.43 in February of 2026. Japan Stock Market Index (JP225) - data, forecasts, historical chart - was last updated on March 22 of 2026.
Japan's main stock market index, the JP225, fell to 53373 points on March 19, 2026, losing 3.38% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has declined 6.08%, though it remains 41.66% higher than a year ago, 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 53116.94 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 44747.53 in 12 months time.