The Nikkei 225 Index Closes 2.77% Higher

The Nikkei 225 Index gained 1709 points or 2.77 percent on Friday to close at 63393 points. Gains were led by Taiyo Yuden (13.46%), Softbank (11.23%) and Sumitomo Electric (10.16%).

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.

The Nikkei 5225 Index rallied 3.14% to close at 61,684 while the broader Topix Index gained 1.64% to 3,854 on Thursday, as Japanese equities rebounded from earlier weekly losses amid renewed optimism surrounding artificial intelligence-related demand. Strong earnings from Nidia boosted sentiment across global technology markets, while news that Samsung Electronics had averted a potential labor strike further supported semiconductor-linked shares. In Japan, SoftBank Group led the rally, soaring nearly 20% following reports that OpenAI is preparing for a public listing. Other technology-related stocks also posted strong gains, including Kioxia Holdings (7.9%), Fujikura (4.8%), Advantest (4.4%), Ibiden (14.3%) and Tokyo Electron (5.9%). On the geopolitical front, President Donald Trump said the US was in the final stages of negotiations with Iran, fueling hopes that the strategically important Strait of Hormuz could soon reopen.