Nikkei 225 Tops 62,000 for the First Time

CNBC reported Thursday that Japan’s Nikkei 225 surpassed 62,000 for the first time on record, climbing 5% as Asia-Pacific markets pushed broadly higher. The advance came even as President Donald Trump renewed threats of escalated military action against Iran.

Nikkei 225 Leads a Regional Surge

The Japanese benchmark’s 5% jump was the headline move across the region Thursday. Gains were spread across basic materials, technology and financial sectors. Index heavyweight SoftBank Group surged more than 13%, extending a strong run for the conglomerate. Electronics manufacturer Ibiden led all individual movers, posting a 17% advance. Metals and manufacturing firm Mitsui Kinzoku rose 16%, while chipmaker Renesas Electronics added 13%. Chemical producer Tosoh Corporation climbed 12%. Japan’s broader Topix index also advanced, gaining 2.37%.

Elsewhere in the region, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 added 0.9%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index jumped 1.47%, and mainland China’s CSI 300 edged fractionally higher. South Korea was the outlier, with the Kospi slipping 0.68% and the Kosdaq shedding 0.56%.

Iran Tensions Hang Over Markets

The rally unfolded against a tense geopolitical backdrop. Trump posted on Truth Social warning that U.S. military operations would intensify against Tehran if a nuclear agreement was not reached. He also suggested the ongoing offensive, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, would halt if Iran delivered on what had already been negotiated. He added that a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports could be lifted, potentially reopening the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping including Iranian vessels. Oil markets reacted modestly, with WTI crude futures rising about 0.9% to near $96 per barrel.

Wall Street Had Already Priced In Diplomacy

American markets moved higher the prior session, anticipating progress toward a deal. The S&P 500 gained 1.46% to close at 7,365.12, touching a fresh record. The Nasdaq Composite rose 2.02% to end at 25,838.94, also a new all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added more than 612 points, finishing just below 49,911. U.S. futures were little changed heading into Thursday’s session, with S&P 500 and Nasdaq contracts each off about 0.1%.

Context for the Nikkei Milestone

Japan’s equity market has staged a dramatic recovery over the past two years. A weaker yen, corporate governance reforms and strong overseas earnings have all contributed to the Nikkei’s long climb. The 62,000 level represents a threshold few analysts had penciled in this early in 2026. Investors are now watching whether diplomatic progress on Iran, and the corresponding move in energy prices, can sustain the momentum heading into the summer.

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