BOJ Governor Ueda Warns Oil Price Shock Could Trigger Persistent Inflation 
Australia Urged to Simplify Regulations to Revive IPO Market and Boost Innovation 
KOSPI Hits Record High as Samsung and SK Hynix Lead AI Chip Rally 
Oil Prices Jump as U.S. Strikes in Iran Raise Fears Over Strait of Hormuz Supply Disruptions 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Talks Raise Hopes for Strait of Hormuz Reopening 
BOJ Signals Possible Rate Hike as Middle East Tensions Fuel Inflation Concerns 
Yen Stays Near Intervention Zone as Iran Conflict Supports U.S. Dollar 
Wall Street Climbs as Micron Leads Chip Stock Rally Amid Iran Peace Hopes 
ASX Shares Plunge as Rising Tech Upgrade Costs Shake Investor Confidence 
Australia Inflation Cools in April as Fuel Prices Ease, But Core CPI Remains Sticky 
Sri Lanka Central Bank Surprises Markets With 100 Basis Point Rate Hike Amid Inflation and Currency Pressure 
Gold Prices Slip as Fresh U.S. Strikes on Iran Boost Dollar and Oil Markets 
U.S.-Iran Talks May Take Days as Oil Prices React to Strait of Hormuz Tensions 
Croatia Weighs Ante Zigman for Central Bank Governor Role in Key ECB Transition 
US Stock Futures Rise as Iran Talks Ease Oil Fears Ahead of Key Inflation Data 
Dollar Weakens as Iran Peace Hopes Lift EUR/USD and Risk Sentiment 
Japan Falls to Third-Largest Global Creditor as China Overtakes in 2025 
Japan’s Nikkei share average surged to a fresh record high on Wednesday, driven by strong gains in chip-related stocks as investor enthusiasm around artificial intelligence continued to fuel global technology markets. The Nikkei index climbed 1.25% to 65,811.78 after briefly touching an all-time intraday high of 66,428.81 earlier in the session. Meanwhile, the broader Topix index edged up 0.15% to 3,944.19.
Technology and semiconductor-linked shares led the rally, mirroring overnight gains on Wall Street where the Nasdaq and S&P 500 reached record closing highs. Investor demand remained heavily focused on AI and semiconductor companies, while financial and traditional value stocks lagged behind.
Tokyo Electron and Advantest, two major Japanese chip equipment manufacturers, both jumped more than 5%, helping lift the Nikkei to new highs. Analysts said market momentum remains concentrated in AI-related equities as traders seek stronger growth opportunities in the technology sector.
According to market strategist Kazuaki Shimada of IwaiCosmo Securities, investors are prioritizing high-growth semiconductor shares over value stocks because tech companies continue delivering stronger returns. The market also reflected U.S. trading patterns, where semiconductor stocks rallied while the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined.
Despite the broader optimism, some AI-related stocks posted losses. SoftBank Group dropped 4.3%, while chip designer Socionext plunged 5.8%, becoming the biggest percentage loser on the Nikkei index. Analysts noted that investors are rotating between different AI-themed stocks rather than exiting the sector entirely.
Japanese banking shares also weakened, with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and Mizuho Financial Group falling 0.49% and 0.95%, respectively. The Topix banking index declined 0.76%, while the real estate sector dropped 1.48%, making it the worst-performing industry group of the day.
On the Tokyo Stock Exchange prime market, approximately 44% of stocks advanced, 52% declined, and 3% remained unchanged as investors continued shifting capital toward AI and semiconductor-related equities in 2026.
