During the mid-morning session on the 18th, the Nikkei 225 traded higher on the strength of AI-related shares. Meanwhile, TOPIX turned negative after the open, and profit-taking was also seen across Japanese stocks. The market was moving in line with developments in U.S. markets.
Buying led the Tokyo stock market from the morning, and the Nikkei 225 opened sharply higher from the previous day. AI-related shares, particularly semiconductor-related stocks, rose, while buying continued on the strength of U.S. markets.
TOPIX initially traded slightly higher after the open but turned negative within a short time. Most Nikkei 225 constituents also fell across the Prime Market, indicating pressure from profit-taking across Japanese stocks.