Stocks in Japan Hit 4-week High

The Nikkei 225 Index advanced 0.9% to above 66,900 on Monday, extending its winning streak to six sessions, with technology and artificial intelligence-related stocks driving the gains. Last week, AI shares outperformed as Meta Platforms’ new Muse AI agent renewed enthusiasm for the sector after earlier warnings from CEOs about rising safety risks associated with AI development. The rally came despite Treasury yields climbing to multi-decade highs amid expectations for additional Federal Reserve rate hikes. Meanwhile, oil prices rose after President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran said it would not soften its conditions for reopening the key waterway. Elsewhere, the Chinese government has indicated it could allow some companies to purchase Nvidia Corp.’s new RTX Pro 5500 chips. Leading technology gainers in Japan included SoftBank Group (3.6%), Advantest (3.2%) and Taiyo Yuden (3.5%).

JP225 increased to 66845.00 Index Points, the highest since August 2026. Over the past 4 weeks, Japan Stock Market Index (JP225) gained 0.52%, and in the last 12 months, it increased 48.19%.

The Nikkei 225 Index rose 1.3% to close at 66,364 on Friday, extending its winning streak to five sessions as oil prices retreated and the global bond selloff eased, offering some relief to equities. Oil prices declined on reports that the US and Iran were exploring a phased agreement that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lift a US blockade on Iranian ports. Global bond yields also stabilized after a sharp two-day rally, while Japan’s 10-year government bond yield pulled back slightly from its highest level since 1996. Elsewhere, Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping concluded their bilateral talks in Washington, with Trump describing the meeting as “great.” Technology stocks led the gains, with Kioxia Holdings rising 2.2%, Advantest gaining 2.8% and Ibiden Co advancing 4.2%. Financial stocks also outperformed, including Mitsubishi UFJ, up 4%, Sumitomo Mitsui, up 3.6%, and Mizuho Financial, up 4.2%.