Japanese Shares Advance as SoftBank Extends Surge

2026-05-22 00:59 By Jam Kaimo Samonte 1 min. read

The Nikkei 225 Index jumped 2.68% to close at 63,339, while the broader Topix Index rose 1% to 3,892 on Friday, building on gains from the previous session amid renewed optimism surrounding technology and artificial intelligence-related stocks.

SoftBank Group surged nearly 12%, extending the previous day’s 20% rally, after reports indicated that two of its portfolio companies, OpenAI and SB Energy, are progressing toward US initial public offerings.

Other major technology shares also moved higher, including Kioxia Holdings (+3.7%), Fujikura (+7.8%), and Ibiden Co (+7.7%).

On the geopolitical front, Tehran said the latest US proposal had partly narrowed differences between the conflicting sides.

However, remarks from Iran’s Supreme Leader about retaining the country’s uranium stockpile, along with disagreements over proposed tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, continued to cloud prospects for a breakthrough agreement.



News Stream
The Nikkei 225 Index Closes 1.51% Higher
The Nikkei 225 Index gained 966 points or 1.51 percent on Friday to close at 65102 points. Gains were led by Lasertec Corp (8.98%), Advantest (7.04%) and Mitsui Kinzoku (6.22%).
2026-09-18
Japanese Shares Gain After BOJ Decision
The Nikkei 225 Index climbed 0.9% to above 64,600 on Friday, rising for the third straight session as the Bank of Japan raised its policy rate by 25 basis points to 1.25% in a widely expected move. Investors will now look for guidance on the possibility of further tightening as policymakers grapple with elevated inflation and wage growth, along with pressure from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Meanwhile, Japan’s annual inflation rate held steady at 1.9% in August, while core inflation stayed below the BOJ’s 2% target for a seventh straight month at 1.7%. Technology and AI-related stocks led the gains following similar advances on Wall Street overnight, as concerns over AI development safety risks eased. Notable performers included Kioxia (3.2%), SoftBank Group (4.1%), Advantest (4%), Lasertec (5.5%), and Ibiden Co (3.3%).
2026-09-18
The Nikkei 225 Index Closes 0.03% Lower
The Nikkei 225 Index decreased 19 points or 0.03 percent on Thursday to close at 63904 points. The decline was led by Mitsui Kinzoku (-6.50%), Resonac Holdings (-4.42%) and Taiyo Yuden (-4.22%). On the upside, the strongest performers were Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding (5.81%), Japan Steel Works (5.18%) and Sumitomo Dainippon (4.61%).
2026-09-17