The Nikkei 225 Index rose 1.1% to close at 64,659 on Thursday, marking a third straight session of gains, as strong earnings from chip-testing equipment maker Advantest lifted market sentiment. Advantest shares jumped 6% after the company raised its full-year profit forecast, citing stronger-than-expected demand for equipment used to test artificial intelligence chips.
The upbeat results spilled over to other major technology names, with Kioxia advancing 1.2%, Ibiden adding 2%, and Tokyo Electron climbing 2.4%. However, weaker-than-expected earnings from Alphabet and Samsung Electronics revived doubts about the durability of AI-related investment, tempering the broader market’s upside.
Investors also focused on the Bank of Japan’s upcoming policy meeting. The central bank is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged but may signal the possibility of a rate hike in December, as it continues to grapple with persistent inflationary pressures.
