The Nikkei 225 Index Closes 0.94% Higher

The Nikkei 225 Index went up by 624 points or 0.94 percent on Monday to close at 66954 points. The rise was led by Softbank (14.99%), Murata Manufacturing (10.18%) and Sumco (9.16%). On the downside, the weakerst performers were Denki Kagaku Kogyo (-7.04%), Mitsubishi Motors (-6.73%) and Mitsubishi Electric (-6.69%).

The Nikkei 225 Index advanced 0.91% to close at 66,934 on Monday, reaching a fresh record high as technology shares extended gains amid continued enthusiasm for the artificial intelligence-driven rally. Japanese firms remain deeply involved in the global expansion of AI infrastructure, helping position the domestic market among the strongest beneficiaries of the worldwide tech surge. Leading gains in the sector were SoftBank Group, which jumped 14%, followed by Kioxia Holdings (+10.1%), Murata Manufacturing (+9%), Tokyo Electron (+1.2%), and Sumitomo Electric (+4.7%). On the economic front, Japan’s capital spending was flat in the first quarter compared with a year earlier, pointing to a slowdown in corporate investment activity. Investors also kept a close watch on developments in the Middle East, where negotiations between the US and Iran toward a permanent ceasefire agreement continued to face significant challenges.

The Nikkei 225 Index gained 1731 points or 2.68 percent on Friday to close at 66424 points. Gains were led by Sumco (19.95%), Murata Manufacturing (16.70%) and Taiyo Yuden (14.45%).