Nikkei Soars by Record 3,320, Closes Above 62,000 for First Time

May 07, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - The Nikkei 225 surged sharply in Tokyo trading on May 7th, rising more than 3,300 points to close at 62,833.84 yen, marking both the largest gain in its history and the first time the index has finished in the 62,000 range, as buying orders spread rapidly from the opening bell following the Golden Week holidays and continued to build throughout the session.

The rally was driven primarily by strong demand for semiconductor and AI-related stocks, with investors responding to gains in overseas markets during the holiday period and positioning for further expansion in artificial intelligence investment, while easing concerns over geopolitical tensions involving Iran also supported risk appetite.

The scale and speed of the advance were notable, surpassing the previous record rise of 3,217 yen recorded during the rebound from the August 2024 sell-off known as the “Reiwa-era Black Monday,” highlighting how quickly sentiment has shifted back toward equities after a period of caution, although some market participants warned that the pace of gains may be too rapid and that further upside will depend on whether current momentum can be sustained.

This sharp move in Tokyo reflects a broader pattern seen across global markets over the past week, where falling oil prices and reduced geopolitical risk have triggered a widespread return to risk assets, particularly in technology sectors tied to artificial intelligence.

In the United States, major indices pushed higher with gains concentrated in semiconductor and AI infrastructure companies, as investors resumed positioning around data centers, chip demand, and cloud expansion, while European markets also advanced on expectations of lower energy costs, supporting industrial and consumer-facing sectors.

Elsewhere in Asia, markets such as South Korea and Taiwan recorded solid gains, driven by their exposure to the global semiconductor supply chain, reinforcing a trend in which a relatively small group of technology stocks is accounting for a significant share of market performance worldwide.

Despite the strength of the rally, caution is emerging among investors, as the speed of the rise and the concentration of gains in AI-related sectors raise concerns about overheating, particularly as markets appear to be pricing in a sustained easing of geopolitical tensions that is not yet certain, leaving global equities vulnerable to any reversal in either the Middle East situation or the momentum behind the AI-driven investment cycle.

Source: TBS

Typhoon No. 30 Unleashes 10-Meter Waves as Heavy Rain Spreads Across Japan

Typhoon No. 30 remained nearly stationary west-northwest of Yonaguni Island at 5 a.m. on October 24, bringing severe weather and waves exceeding 10 meters to Okinawa's Sakishima Islands, while an increasingly active weather front threatens to deliver heavy rainfall across western and eastern Japan through October 27.

Typhoon Disrupts Flights as Japan Braces for Widespread Travel Delays

Typhoon No. 30 continued to disrupt air travel across Okinawa on October 24, with cancellations affecting flights to the southwestern islands, while railway operators and highway authorities prepared for potentially widespread disruption across western and central Japan through October 26.

Japan's Terra Drone Supplies Weapons to Ukraine as Russia Warns of Retaliation

Japanese drone manufacturer Terra Drone has delivered interceptor drones to Ukraine's Ministry of Defense for the first time, prompting Russia to threaten retaliatory measures on October 21, as Japan considers expanding domestic drone production and strengthening its coastal defenses through thousands of unmanned aircraft.

PHP Security Flaw Forces Shutdowns Across Japan, Including Takaichi's Website

A critical security flaw discovered in PHP, a programming language used by an estimated 70% of the world's web systems, has triggered widespread disruptions across Japan since October 21, forcing banks, restaurant chains, government agencies and other businesses to suspend online services as a precaution against potential cyberattacks.

Cyberattacks Hit Japanese Police and Businesses

A growing wave of cyberattacks across Japan has raised concerns over the possible use of Chinese-developed artificial intelligence in hacking operations, with personal information belonging to tens of thousands of police employees potentially exposed and major companies forced to suspend online services, while cybersecurity experts warn that slow decision-making within Japanese organizations is allowing damage to spread.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Business NEWS

Nikkei Plunges 1,713 Points as AI Sell-Off Deepens

Japan's financial markets suffered another sharp setback on October 22 as heavy selling in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related stocks sent the Nikkei 225 down 1,713.40 points, or 2.65%, to 62,907.84, its lowest closing level since July 30.

Japan's Trade Deficit Doubles as Oil Prices Surge

Japan's trade deficit nearly doubled in the first half of fiscal 2026 to 2.8184 trillion yen, driven largely by surging crude oil prices following turmoil in the Middle East, while the value of oil imports from the United States increased nearly ninefold as Japan sought alternative sources of supply.

Cyberattacks Hit Japanese Police and Businesses

Japan Stocks Rebound 546 Points as Export Growth Supports Market

Tokyo stocks rebounded on October 21, with the Nikkei 225 closing 545.82 points higher at 64,621.24, a gain of 0.85%, as stronger U.S. equities, renewed buying in technology shares and encouraging Japanese export figures helped the market recover from two consecutive sessions of losses.

Mizuho Bank to Stop Using Driver's License Photos

Japanese banks and securities firms are moving to stop using facial photographs from driver's licenses to verify customers opening accounts online, following a series of personal information leaks that have raised concerns about fraudulent account applications.

Japan Stocks Slide 841 Yen as AI Concerns and Oil Prices Hit Tokyo Market

Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average closed at 64,075.42 on October 20th, falling 841.28 points, or 1.30%, as renewed selling in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related shares, rising oil prices and concerns over inflation pushed Tokyo stocks lower for a second consecutive session.

Nearly 30% of Large Japanese Companies Report Data Leaks

Nearly one in three large companies in Japan have experienced a data leak or a suspected breach, according to a survey released by Teikoku Databank on October 19th, highlighting growing concerns over corporate information security as unauthorized access incidents continue to affect businesses across the country.

Nikkei Closes at 64,916 as Technology Stocks Drag Market Lower

Japan's Nikkei Stock Average closed 407.59 points lower at 64,916.70 on October 19, a decline of 0.62%, recovering from an intraday plunge of more than 1,400 points as concerns over artificial intelligence investment weighed on semiconductor and technology shares, while buying in banks, utilities and other domestic sectors helped the broader TOPIX index finish slightly higher.

< 2 3 4 5 >