The Nikkei index closed slightly higher on Thursday, tracking gains on Wall Street from the previous day, with technology stocks leading the advance.
The Nikkei rose 0.13% to close at 50,407.79 points, while the broader Topix index climbed 0.31% to 3,417.98 points.
Tokyo Electron stock provides the biggest boost to the Nikkei
Shares of Tokyo Electron, a chipmaking equipment manufacturer, rose 1.72%, providing the biggest boost to the Nikkei. Shares of robot maker Fanuc increased by 2.03%.
Shares of memory chip maker Kioxia climbed 1.79%. These gains came after its US counterpart, Micron Technology, jumped 3.8% in the evening to a record closing high after the company issued strong forecasts last week.
Sony Group shares rose 1.23%, becoming the biggest supporter of the Topix index’s gains, while Toyota Motor shares increased by 0.63%.
On the other hand, shares of chip testing equipment maker Advantest fell 1.81%, and shares of optical fiber cable maker Fujikura declined 2.49%.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia with a rich cultural heritage that spans thousands of years, from its ancient Shinto traditions and imperial rule to the feudal era of samurai and the modernizing Meiji Restoration. It is renowned for its unique blend of deep historical sites, such as temples and castles, with cutting-edge technology and contemporary pop culture.
Nikkei index
The Nikkei index, officially called the Nikkei 225, is Japan’s premier stock market index, tracking the performance of 225 major companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. It was first published in 1950, with its calculation retroactively applied to data from 1949, and serves as a key benchmark for the Japanese economy.
Wall Street
Wall Street is a historic street and financial district in Lower Manhattan, New York City, which became the epicenter of American finance following the founding of the New York Stock Exchange at its location in 1792. Its name originates from a physical wall built by Dutch settlers in the 17th century to defend their colony. Today, it is a global symbol of finance and capitalism.
Tokyo Electron
Tokyo Electron is a major Japanese corporation specializing in the development and manufacturing of semiconductor production equipment. Founded in 1963, it has grown to become a critical global supplier in the electronics industry, playing a key role in the technological advancement of semiconductor fabrication.
Fanuc
Fanuc is a Japanese multinational corporation specializing in factory automation, robotics, and CNC systems, founded in 1956 by Dr. Seiuemon Inaba. It is historically significant for pioneering the development of numerical control and servo systems, which revolutionized manufacturing processes worldwide. Today, it is one of the world’s largest makers of industrial robots and automation equipment.
Kioxia
Kioxia is a Japanese multinational corporation specializing in flash memory and solid-state drive technology, founded in 2018 as a spin-off from Toshiba Memory Corporation. Its history is rooted in Toshiba’s invention of NAND flash memory in 1987, which established the technological foundation for the company’s current products and global market presence.
Micron Technology
Micron Technology is an American multinational corporation founded in 1978, specializing in computer memory and data storage solutions. It is one of the world’s largest producers of dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) and NAND flash memory chips, playing a critical role in the global semiconductor industry.
Sony Group
Sony Group is a Japanese multinational conglomerate founded in 1946 in Tokyo by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita. Originally focused on telecommunications and electronics, it has grown into a global leader in entertainment and technology, encompassing electronics, gaming, music, film, and financial services.
Toyota Motor
Toyota Motor is a Japanese automotive manufacturer founded in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda, evolving from his father’s textile machinery business. It is renowned for pioneering the Toyota Production System, which revolutionized manufacturing efficiency and quality control globally. Today, it is one of the world’s largest automobile makers, famous for its reliable vehicles and hybrid technology like the Prius.
Advantest
Advantest is a Japanese multinational corporation founded in 1954, specializing in the design and manufacture of semiconductor test equipment. It is a key player in the global electronics industry, providing critical technology for testing integrated circuits and other electronic components.
Fujikura
Fujikura is a Japanese company founded in 1885, known for its pioneering work in telecommunications and electronics. It is not a specific cultural site or public place, but rather a corporation historically significant for developing Japan’s early telephone wires and advancing fiber optic technology.
