The Nikkei Average was up about ¥770 in morning trading, with buying focused on AI and semiconductor-related stocks. At one point, it rose by more than approximately ¥1,300.
In the Japanese stock market on the morning of the 21st, the Nikkei Average remained approximately ¥770 above the previous day’s level and stayed firm throughout the session. In morning trading, it was up ¥1,329.21 as of 9:29 a.m. and was trading around ¥64,850. Although U.S. markets were generally mixed, buying in AI and semiconductor-related stocks, driven by a sharp rise in the after-hours trading of a major AI server company, pushed the market higher. Local futures markets were also maintaining their gains, suggesting that the broader upward trend would continue.
By sector, 22 of the 33 sectors rose. Bank, insurance, precision equipment and nonferrous metal stocks advanced, while some retail and rubber product stocks declined. Among individual stocks, Terumo rose ¥29.5 and HOYA gained ¥875, while related stocks including Mitsui Kinzoku and Fujikura also attracted buying. In the foreign exchange market, USD/JPY was in the low ¥158s and EUR/JPY in the high ¥177s.
The information provider indicated that the Nikkei Average’s rise was supported by activity in AI and semiconductor-related stocks, with developments in the South Korean market and the impact of European and U.S. stocks also possibly providing support. Information from Ito Information and developments in individual stocks were reported mainly through the list of stocks cited in the news article, and the overall view was that the market would remain firm.