Nikkei Average Surges over 1,400 Points in Morning

Tokyo, Jan. 5 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average jumped over 1,400 points in morning trading Monday, the first trading day of 2026 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, led by gains in semiconductor-related shares. The index of 225 selected issues listed on the TSE’s Prime section finished the morning session at 51,759.10, up 1,419.62 points, or 2.82 pct from Tuesday, the final trading day of 2025, after rising as high as 1,477.24 points, or 2.93 pct. A broad range of Tokyo stocks attracted purchases after chip- and artificial intelligence-related shares drew demand in the U.S. market late last week, market sources said. There was apparently little reaction in the Tokyo market on Monday morning to the U.S. military operations against Venezuela on Saturday. In Tokyo interdealer bond trading Monday, the key 10-year Japanese government bond yield, Japan’s benchmark long-term interest rate, rose to 2.125 pct at one point, the highest level since February 1999, following a rise in U.S. long-term interest rates late last week. JGBs also came under selling pressure amid concerns over inflation in Japan, fueled by a weak yen and rising stock prices. In currency trading, the dollar gained ground thanks chiefly to buying from Japanese importers. The U.S. currency stood at 157.13-16 yen at noon, up from 155.97-98 yen at 5 p.m. Tuesday. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]