Nikkei Index Rises 1.2% Driven by Chip Stocks and Dividend Buying

Japanese shares experienced a notable increase on September 25, 2026, with the Nikkei and the broader Topix both rising by 1.2% at midday. The rally was primarily fueled by gains in semiconductor-related stocks as Tokyo became the main trading venue in Asia, with markets in mainland China, South Korea, and Taiwan closed for holidays. Key contributors to this upward trend included Tokyo Electron, which rose approximately 4%, and Advantest, which gained around 2.5%. Ibiden, a manufacturer of components for central processing units, saw a significant increase of about 5.5% after a nearly 15% surge in the previous session.

Investors were also motivated by the impending deadline on Monday to qualify for interim dividends, leading to increased buying activity. Analysts noted that solid economic data and the commitment of central banks in both the United States and Japan to combat inflation have further bolstered investor confidence in equities, despite recent volatility in global bond markets. The demand for chip stocks was identified as a primary driver of the market's performance, overshadowing the dividend-related buying.

However, not all technology stocks participated in the rally. SoftBank Group experienced a decline of approximately 2.5% following a report that Oracle had encountered a power-related delay at a data center in New Mexico. This setback raised concerns about the energy supply challenges facing AI infrastructure projects, in which SoftBank is a co-investor alongside Oracle and OpenAI. The report highlighted the practical constraints on AI spending, as delays in securing power can hinder investment timelines, even amid strong demand for technology solutions.

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Source: KLEA News