Nikkei Marks Record Year-End Finish above 50,000

Tokyo, Dec. 30 (Jiji Press)–The benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average closed above 50,000 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Tuesday, the final market day of 2025, marking its highest year-end finish on record. The Nikkei shed 187.44 points, or 0.37 pct, from Monday to finish at 50,339.48. The index soared 10,444.94 points, or 26.18 pct, from the 2024 close of 39,894.54. The broader TOPIX index lost 17.55 points, or 0.51 pct, to close at 3,408.97, also hitting a record year-end high. In 2025, it gained 624.05 points, or 22.41 pct. On Tuesday, the Tokyo market was quiet due to a dearth of fresh incentives during the year-end period. The Nikkei was dragged down by some heavyweight components including SoftBank Group, as well as nonferrous metal producers, reflecting commodity market falls. Following the end of the day’s trading, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attended the TSE’s year-end ceremony, saying in a speech, “For Japan, I will never give up and will run, run, run, run, and run to earn wins.” Takaichi was the first sitting prime minister to attend the ceremony since Fumio Kishida in 2022. She emphasized her intention to build a strong economy through “responsible and proactive” fiscal policy, adding, “We will create a positive cycle in which global capital flows into our country.” The prime minister rang the year-end bell, along with other guests including Hajime Moriyasu, manager of Japan’s men’s national soccer team. In 2025, the stock market was supported by growing expectations for the artificial intelligence-related market, as well as hopes for the Takaichi administration. In April, the Nikkei tumbled below 31,000 amid concerns about higher U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump, who took office in January. However, the key index regained upward momentum as tariff-related uncertainties receded, partly thanks to a Japan-U.S. tariff agreement in July. The Nikkei reached an all-time high of 52,411.34 on Oct. 31. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]