Stocks Market
Nikkei 60,000 Milestone: Japanese Stocks Surge as Tech Rally Continues
The Nikkei 225 index reached a historic milestone on Thursday, April 23, 2026, crossing the 60,000-point threshold for the first time in history. The Japanese benchmark rose 0.34% to 59,790 points, driven by strong performance in technology and semiconductor stocks. SoftBank Group led the rally with an 8.9% surge, while semiconductor equipment makers Advantest and Tokyo Electron gained 2.65% and 0.81% respectively. The market optimism came after President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran indefinitely, reducing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
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Nikkei 225 Reaches Historic 60,000-Point Milestone
The Japanese stock market celebrated a significant achievement on Thursday, April 23, 2026, as the Nikkei 225 index crossed the psychological barrier of 60,000 points for the first time in its history. This milestone represents a remarkable recovery for the Japanese equity market, which has been on an upward trajectory over the past years.
The benchmark index closed at 59,790 points, representing a gain of 0.34% during the trading session. At 00:10 GMT, the Nikkei was trading at these levels, reflecting strong investor confidence in the Japanese market. Meanwhile, the broader Topix index slipped by 0.7% to settle at 3,718.59 points, indicating mixed sentiment across different market segments.
Technology and Semiconductor Stocks Lead the Rally
The surge in the Nikkei was primarily driven by robust performance in the technology sector, particularly semiconductor-related stocks. Advantest Corporation, a leading semiconductor testing equipment manufacturer, saw its shares jump 2.65%, while Tokyo Electron, another major player in the semiconductor manufacturing equipment industry, gained 0.81%.
SoftBank Group, the diversified conglomerate with significant technology investments, emerged as one of the top performers with an impressive 8.9% surge. Fujikura, a Japanese manufacturing company specializing in cables and optical fibers, also contributed to the positive momentum with a 1% gain.
Geopolitical Developments Boost Market Sentiment
The market rally was supported by positive geopolitical developments in the Middle East. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday evening his decision to extend the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran indefinitely, allowing negotiations to continue while maintaining the U.S. maritime blockade, which Tehran considers a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
This decision reduced uncertainty in the region and helped restore risk appetite among global investors. On Wednesday, Iran announced it had seized two container ships attempting to exit the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz and fired on a third vessel, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the region despite the ceasefire.
The combination of strong corporate earnings in the technology sector and improved geopolitical conditions has created a favorable environment for Japanese equities, with investors showing renewed confidence in the market's growth potential.