Nikkei Opens Higher on US Tech Rally

(Seoul=Yonhap Infomax) Si Yoon Yoon – On the 25th, Japan’s main stock indices opened higher, buoyed by gains in US technology shares.

As of 09:13 AM, the Nikkei 225, which is heavily weighted toward major exporters, was trading at 49,001.62, up 375.74 points, or 0.77%, from the previous session.

The TOPIX index rose 9.34 points, or 0.28%, to 3,307.07.

Following a market holiday, the Nikkei 225 quickly extended gains at the open, moving toward the 50,000 mark.

Buying was concentrated in semiconductor and other leading technology stocks after positive reviews of Google’s Gemini 3 at the US market fueled investor appetite for the sector.

Investor sentiment was further supported by reports that the Japanese government plans to expand support for artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors.

Additionally, comments from Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller, who expressed support for a rate cut at the December Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, heightened market expectations for US monetary easing.

According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, the Japanese government is set to newly designate six areas as “national strategic technologies” eligible for focused research funding and tax incentives. Targeted sectors include AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, and space, which could attract further buying interest in related stocks.

Currently, the dollar-yen exchange rate is trading at 156.846 yen, up 0.01% from the previous day.

Exchange Rate Data

syyoon@yna.co.kr

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Trend Analysis:

The Nikkei 225 is approaching the psychologically significant 50,000 level, supported by robust demand for technology shares and policy tailwinds. The yen remains stable against the dollar, reflecting steady currency markets amid global rate cut expectations.