04.12.202507:02:45UTC+00Japanese Shares Gain as Robot Makers, Tech Rally

On Thursday, the Nikkei 225 Index saw a significant rise of 2.33%, closing at 51,028, while the broader Topix Index increased by 1.92% to reach 3,398. The latter achieved new record highs driven by a surge in investor interest towards robot manufacturers and technology stocks. Fanuc spearheaded this growth, soaring 13% following its recent announcement of a collaboration with Nvidia to enhance industrial robotics. Other companies in the robotics sector also experienced substantial gains, including Yaskawa Electric, which climbed 11.4%, and Nabtesco, up by 11.3%. Prominent tech firms joined the upward trend, with SoftBank Group advancing by 9.2%, Lasertec by 6.2%, and Disco Corp by 2.3%. Internationally, Japanese equities mirrored a favorable lead from Wall Street, as investors anticipated a potential rate cut by the US Federal Reserve in December. Domestically, there remained some caution, with markets evaluating speculation regarding a possible interest rate increase by the Bank of Japan this month. This speculation arises from Governor Kazuo Ueda's remarks about carefully considering the advantages and drawbacks of a rate hike and taking appropriate action.