Nikkei Rises as Hormuz Recovery Hopes and AI Sentiment Strengthen
The Nikkei 225 index rose 1.3% to close at 53,123 on Friday, while the TOPIX index gained 0.9% to 3,645. This gain pared its weekly decline to 0.4%, as sentiment improved amid global efforts to restore Gulf oil shipments disrupted by the Iran war.
Several countries moved to revive flows through the Strait of Hormuz after US President Donald Trump signaled a more aggressive stance, although the conflict since late February has kept energy markets volatile. Hopes of a partial reopening helped lower crude oil prices in Tokyo, providing support for Japanese equities, which are sensitive to energy costs given their heavy dependence on imports.
Sectorally, optimism about AI-driven growth also lifted corporate performance expectations ahead of the earnings season. AI-related suppliers Furukawa Electric and Fujikura surged 10.4% and 7.5%, respectively. Sakura Internet rose 20.2% to hit its daily high after Microsoft announced a ¥1.6 trillion AI partnership in Japan. (gn)
Source: Newsmaker.id