The Nikkei 225 Index rose 1.5% to above 68,700, while the broader Topix Index gained 0.8% to 4,052 on Friday, marking a second consecutive advance for Japanese equities. The market tracked overnight strength on Wall Street, as a rally in semiconductor shares boosted overall risk appetite. Softer oil prices also underpinned sentiment by easing inflation worries and relieving pressure on Japan’s import-reliant economy.
At the same time, data showed that Japan’s producer prices accelerated at their fastest pace in more than three years, underscoring persistent cost pressures partly linked to the conflict in the Middle East. Technology stocks led the market higher, with notable gains in Kioxia Holdings (up 5.4%), SoftBank Group (7.9%), Murata Manufacturing (5.5%), Tokyo Electron (2.2%), and Advantest (3.3%).
