tokyo’s Nikkei 225 finished marginally higher on January 28, 2026, despite early declines linked to a strengthening yen. The index closed at 53,358.71, a gain of 25.17 yen, as positive earnings – notably from Dutch firm ASML – spurred a late-session rally. The performance highlights the continued sensitivity of Japanese markets to both currency values and global economic trends.
１月２８日、東京株式市場で日経平均は小幅続伸し、前営業日比２５円１７銭高の５万３３５８円７１銭で取引を終えた。写真は２０２５年１月、東京証券取引所で撮影（２０２６年 ロイター/Issei Kato）
The Nikkei initially fell 309 yen before deepening losses to a low of 52,788.10 yen, as a stronger yen weighed on exporter shares. However, a late-session rally, fueled by a strong earnings report from Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASML (ASML.AS), propelled the benchmark into positive territory. The broader TOPIX index, however, ended the day lower.
Among leading stocks, Advantest (6857.T), SoftBank Group (9984.T), and Tokyo Electron (8035.T) each rose more than 2%, contributing a combined 435 yen to the Nikkei’s overall gain. Lasertec (6920.T) jumped over 6% following a surge in shares of U.S. Corning. Fujikura (5803.T) gained more than 9%.
Conversely, Shin-Etsu Chemical (4063.T) fell more than 11% after releasing its earnings report the previous day. Fast Retailing (9983.T) declined over 1%, while Fanuc (6954.T) and Toyota Motor (7203.T) each fell more than 3%.
“There’s a divergence between sectors in both the U.S. and Japanese markets, with AI-related stocks still attracting investors looking for pullbacks,” said Senior Market Strategist Reiko Sera of Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank. “It suggests there are still investors waiting to buy on dips in AI-related names.”
The TOPIX fell 0.79% to close at 3,535.49. The prime market index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange lost 0.79% to 1,821.66. Trading volume on the prime market totaled 7.119704 trillion yen.
Of the 33 sector indices on the TSE, 28 declined, including chemicals, transportation equipment, pharmaceuticals, other products, and food. Five sectors rose, including nonferrous metals and mining.
The growth market index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange fell 1.68% to 704.52, marking its third consecutive day of decline.
On the TSE Prime market, 185 issues advanced, 1,383 declined, and 33 were unchanged.
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