The Nikkei 225 Index climbed 1% to around 66,760 on Thursday, while the broader Topix Index added 0.3% to 4,040, led by gains in technology shares. Semiconductor stocks advanced amid expectations that strong investment in AI infrastructure will continue to underpin the sector.
Investors also monitored oil prices after Iran-backed Houthi militants reported targeting two Saudi Arabian tankers in the Red Sea. Market participants are further focused on Japan’s June consumer inflation data, due Friday, for additional signals on the Bank of Japan’s policy trajectory.
Among the top performers were Tokyo Electron (up 2.9%), Advantest (2.8%), Renesas Electronics (3.5%), Murata Manufacturing (4.0%), and Keyence (0.6%). Outside the technology space, Mizuho Financial gained 1.3%, while Mitsubishi Electric rose 1.7%.
