Nikkei closes past new benchmark of 72,000 points

Published Mon, Jun 22, 2026 · 04:44 PM

[TOKYO] Japan’s Nikkei share gauge surged past the 72,000 mark for the first time on Monday (Jun 22), on continued euphoria over AI investment and some progress in the US-Iran peace talks.

A joint statement by Qatar and Pakistan, mediators in the negotiations, said the US and Iran agreed to a roadmap toward a final deal within 60 days.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 advanced 1.55 per cent to close at 72,353.96, after touching an intraday record peak of 72,831.73. The broader Topix gained 1.24 per cent to 4,095.05.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration plans to set a target of about 370 trillion yen (S$3 trillion) in public and private investment in strategic sectors including AI and chips by 2040, the Nikkei reported on Friday.

“AI-related companies are once again playing a leading role in driving the market,” said Wataru Akiyama, an equities strategist at Nomura Securities.

There are signs the Nikkei is “overheating,” Akiyama cautioned.

The gauge climbed for an eighth-straight session, its longest winning streak in more than three years. A technical indicator, known as the 14-day relative strength index, for the Nikkei stood at 73, above the 70-mark indicating that shares may have risen too fast and are poised for a reversal.

There were 137 advancers in the Nikkei 225 against 85 decliners.

J.Front Retailing was among the leaders, surging 15.9 per cent after activist investor 3D Investment Partners said it took a 5.1 per cent stake in the department store operator.

Shares in Toto soared 11 per cent to a record after the Nikkei said on Sunday that the bathroom fixtures maker will invest 80 billion yen over the next five years in its semiconductor manufacturing equipment components business.

Taiyo Yuden, down 9.14 per cent, and Tokyo Electric Power, 7.1 per cent lower, were the largest losers. REUTERS