The Nikkei 225 index topped the 71,000 mark for the first time on June 18, 2026, climbing to a record high of 71,398.58 points amid relief over a US-Iran ceasefire that reopened key energy shipping routes. The index closed up 1.65 percent at 71,053 with financial and semiconductor stocks leading gains, while the yen slid to a 23-month low, according to reports from The Japan Times and Trading Economics.
The Emirates News Agency reported that the Nikkei broke the 71,000 barrier as semiconductor-related shares advanced on the back of gains in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index overnight. Financial stocks also posted strong performances with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group rising 3.1 percent, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group gaining 4.3 percent and Mizuho Financial Group increasing 3 percent. The development occurred despite mixed signals from US markets on potential interest rate hikes.
According to Trading Economics, the Nikkei 225 has climbed 17.89 percent over the past month and stands 85.47 percent higher than the same period a year earlier. The index reached an all-time high of 71,436 points in intraday trading during June 2026. The broader Topix index advanced 1.37 percent to close at a record 4,068.
The Japan Times reported that the yen traded at its weakest level in about 23 months on Thursday, a move that has supported exporters by increasing the yen value of foreign earnings. This currency position falls within a range that many investors view as a potential trigger for official intervention. Buying interest in Japanese equities remained strong throughout the session.
Historical data from Macrotrends shows that the Nikkei 225 surpassed its 1989 record high of 38,915.87 points in February 2024 when it closed at 39,098.68. The index has since advanced significantly, crossing the 40,000 point level in March 2024 and reaching above 43,000 by August 2025. Factors including corporate governance reforms and foreign investment have supported the multi-year rally.
Trading Economics linked the latest gains to the interim agreement signed by US President Donald Trump that ended the conflict with Iran and reopened the Strait of Hormuz. The deal eased concerns over Japan’s energy imports from the Middle East. Japanese shares advanced despite an overnight selloff on Wall Street triggered by Federal Reserve signals indicating support for a rate hike.
Gains in technology shares included Lasertec up 7.1 percent, Tokyo Electron rising 4.7 percent and SoftBank Group adding 4.5 percent, according to the market data. These increases helped propel the main index to its new milestone. Trading volumes on the day aligned with levels seen in other recent strong sessions.
