The Nikkei 225 dropped 1.75% to close at 58,476 on Friday, retreating from record highs as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of the weekend while awaiting progress in US-Iran peace negotiations. In the latest developments, US President Donald Trump expressed confidence that the conflict with Iran could end soon, saying Tehran had agreed to terms including abandoning nuclear ambitions and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. He also announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, a step that could help advance further US-Iran talks. Meanwhile, Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda provided no clear signal on interest rates ahead of the central bank’s policy decision this month, highlighting the challenge of balancing upside risks to inflation against downside risks to growth. Technology and AI-related stocks led the decline, with notable losses from Kioxia Holdings (-9.6%), Fujikura (-2.7%), Advantest (-1.8%), SoftBank Group (-2.6%), and Lasertec (-4.4%).
Japan's main stock market index, the JP225, fell to 58476 points on April 17, 2026, losing 1.75% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 5.86% and is up 68.37% 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 59847.00 in April of 2026. Japan Stock Market Index (JP225) - data, forecasts, historical chart - was last updated on April 18 of 2026.
Japan's main stock market index, the JP225, fell to 58476 points on April 17, 2026, losing 1.75% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 5.86% and is up 68.37% 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 56649.83 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 49979.35 in 12 months time.