The Nikkei 225 Index climbed 2.38% to close at 59,518 on Thursday, hitting a new all-time high as optimism grew around a potential agreement to end the Middle East conflict. Reports indicated Washington and Tehran are considering extending their two-week ceasefire to allow more time for peace negotiations, even as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed under a dual blockade. Japanese equities also followed Wall Street’s record-setting rally overnight, supported by robust bank earnings and renewed interest in technology shares. Tech and AI-related stocks led the advance, with strong gains from SoftBank Group (5.1%), Kioxia Holdings (4.5%), and Fujikura (4.7%). Daikin Industries also surged 9.1% after activist investor Elliott Investment Management disclosed a stake in the company and called for reforms to unlock shareholder value.
