Title: Japan’s Nikkei Average Surpasses 60,000, On Track for Record Close

Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average surpassed the 60,000 level for the first time in its history during Monday’s trading session, marking a historic milestone for the benchmark index.

The Nikkei 225 rose around 900 points at one point in the morning session on April 27, 2026, as investors directed capital into technology stocks amid improved risk sentiment following developments in Middle East tensions.

Technology stocks led the rally, with semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related shares driving gains. SoftBank Group, Advantest and Tokyo Electron were among the key contributors to the index’s advance, reflecting strong investor interest in companies tied to the AI supply chain.

Foreign investors have shown particular focus on semiconductor-related companies due to their clear connection to AI development and near-term earnings visibility. This sentiment was reflected in JPMorgan Chase’s decision to raise its year-end target for the Nikkei to 70,000 from 61,000, citing the AI boom and a weaker yen as supporting factors.

The broader market, however, has not participated equally in the rally. The Topix index and the Yomiuri 333, an equal-weighted index, have not recovered to their late February highs, indicating that the advance remains concentrated in large-cap technology stocks rather than representing broad-based market strength.

Some market strategists have expressed concern that the rapid ascent could lead to overheating, potentially triggering a short-term correction. They noted that the sustainability of the rally may depend on whether buying activity expands beyond the technology sector into domestic demand, financial and manufacturing shares.

The Nikkei later relinquished some of its intraday gains as investors took profits after reaching the record level. Despite the pullback, the index remained on course for a potential record closing level as of the reporting time.

South Korean stocks also experienced gains on the same day, mirroring the regional trend of capital flowing into technology sectors amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.