AI- and Memory-Linked Stocks Supported 2% Rise In Nikkei 225, Yen Held Recent Gains

Akira Ito
07 Sep, 2026
Tokyo

Japan's indexes soared, with Japanese shares advancing for a second consecutive session as technology- and AI-linked stocks outperformed. 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 2% to 66,328.44, and the broader TOPIX advanced 0.5% to 4,124.36. 

Market averages in Tokyo headed higher, tracking gains in chipmakers and memory stocks in overnight trading in New York on Friday amid improving sentiment toward the sector. 

However, broader markets remain under pressure by stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs data that supported the case for a Federal Reserve rate hike later this month. 

The U.S. economy added 162,000 jobs in August, and the unemployment rate remained steady at 4.1%, said the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The August job growth beat expectations and ended a slow summer for hiring.

July was revised upward to a gain of 21,000 jobs instead of a loss, and June was revised up to 31,000. 

U.S. wage growth was 3.1% from a year ago in August, remaining unchanged from July according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment report.

U.S. wages reached an average hourly earnings rate of $37.75, while continuing to lag behind broader cost-of-living increases. 

Rising oil prices (with Brent crude trading near $95 per barrel) have increased vulnerability for real wages, as higher costs for food, transportation, and housing erase most of the wage gains.

The stronger-than-expected data eased immediate concerns over a summer economic slowdown while giving the Federal Reserve complex data to weigh regarding future interest rate decisions.

 

Japan Indexes and Stocks 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 1.9% to 66,233.0, and the broader TOPIX increased 0.4% to 4,118.43. 

Kioxia Holdings soared 8.5% to ¥59,080.0, Advantest Corp. gained 3.5% to ¥34,370.0, Fujikura Ltd. increased 3.6% to ¥5,235.0, Tokyo Electron added 4.4% to ¥55,640.0, and SoftBank Group jumped 9.9% to ¥6,145.0. 

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group declined 1.8% to ¥3,718.0, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group decreased 1.4% to ¥6,973.0, and Mizuho Financial Group fell 0.8% to ¥6,973.0.