Nikkei 225 Climbs 0.63% to Fresh Record, Fueled by SoftBank and AI Momentum

Japan’s Nikkei 225 delivered another record-breaking session on June 1, 2026, pushing above the 67,000 mark for the very first time. The index climbed 1.1% in morning trade, touching an intraday peak of 67,231.28 before settling near 67,038.24 at the midday recess. SoftBank Group drove the rally hard, jumping 10.3% and contributing 618 of the Nikkei’s 709-point total rise. AI-linked demand continued to steer capital into Japanese technology stocks, reinforcing a broader trend that has made the Nikkei 225 one of 2026’s strongest-performing major indices.

SoftBank Overtakes Toyota to Become Japan’s Most Valuable Company

SoftBank Group made history on June 1, 2026. The company’s market capitalisation swelled to around 47.2 trillion yen ($296.0 billion), while Toyota’s shrank to around 45.7 trillion yen after the stock slid 4.8% on Monday. That single session handed SoftBank the title of Japan’s most valuable listed company.

What is driving SoftBank’s surge?

The catalyst is direct and measurable. Over the weekend, SoftBank pledged some 75 billion euros ($87.3 billion) over five years to build up AI infrastructure in France. That announcement confirmed the company’s deepening role in global AI development and reinforced its position as the listed proxy for OpenAI and Arm.

Key takeaway: SoftBank’s 10.3% single-day gain on June 1 makes it the dominant force in the current Nikkei 225 rally, and its AI infrastructure commitments signal sustained institutional momentum.

Nikkei 225 Performance Snapshot — June 1, 2026

Metric	Data
Intraday High	67,231.28
Midday Level	67,038.24
Session Gain	+1.1%
SoftBank Contribution	618 of 709 points
SoftBank Daily Gain	+10.3%
Murata Manufacturing Gain	+14.1%
April 2026 Monthly Gain	+12.60%
May 2026 Monthly Gain	+10.79%
Q2 2026 YTD Gain	+24%+

AI Stocks Widen Their Lead Inside the Index

The rally on June 1 was not broad-based. Among the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s 33 industry groups, eight rose, led by a 4.3% jump in IT firms. Auto shares were among the worst performers, down 4.2%. Even within the Nikkei 225 itself, only 73 of its 225 components rose against 152 that fell. That contrast tells a clear story: AI and technology stocks are carrying the index higher while traditional sectors lag.

Which stocks led and which fell?

Shares of Murata Manufacturing surged 14.1% to be the Nikkei’s biggest percentage risers. Not all chip-related shares advanced, with Advantest retreating 2.2% and Fujikura down 3.6%. Nomura Securities strategist Maki Sawada noted that buying interest was spreading to AI-related stocks that had previously lagged, driven by expanding expectations for AI server demand.

Key takeaway: The June 1 session confirms a selective AI-driven rally. Broad market participation remains limited, but technology leadership is strong enough to push the Nikkei 225 to fresh record territory.

Monthly Trend and the Path Toward 70,000

The Nikkei 225’s recent monthly performance has been remarkable. Here is how the numbers break down:

• April 2026: The index gained 12.60%, driven by a post-Golden Week catch-up rally and strong AI semiconductor demand.
• May 2026: The index added another 10.79%, extending the bullish trend as SoftBank and chip stocks continued to lead.
• Q2 2026 Total: The index has gained over 24% in a single quarter, one of its strongest quarterly performances in recent history.
• June 2026 Target: Analysts expect the final month of Q2 to remain positive, with the index projected to push toward the 72,600 level

SoftBank, technology, AI, and semiconductor stocks remain key drivers of the broader Japanese stock rally. Tokyo Electron consolidates around the 50,000 level and is technically positioned for a further move higher, which could add additional fuel to the index.

Key takeaway: The monthly trend strongly supports continued upside. Two consecutive months of double-digit gains make June 2026 one of the most closely watched periods for the Nikkei 225 in recent history.

Key Risks to Watch

• Middle East uncertainty: Both the Nikkei and Topix had notched all-time highs on Friday on optimism over a near-term peace deal in the Middle East, but the fresh week began with Washington and Tehran still appearing to differ on significant issues. Any renewed tension could weigh on risk appetite.
• Overvaluation concerns: Nomura’s Sawada noted that concerns about overvaluation are deep-rooted, particularly with Middle East uncertainty still elevated.
• Currency risk: A strengthening yen versus the US dollar adds pressure to export-driven earnings across the index.
• Sector divergence: Auto stocks down 4.2% on June 1 signals that not all sectors are participating in the AI-led advance.

For updated Nikkei 225 data, readers can follow Reuters Markets at reuters.com and FX Empire at fxempire.com.

Wrapping Up: Analyst Review

The Nikkei 225 crossed 67,000 for the first time on June 1, 2026, powered almost entirely by SoftBank Group and AI-linked demand. SoftBank’s 10.3% gain and 47.2 trillion yen market cap milestone marked a defining moment for Japan’s technology sector. With April gaining 12.60% and May adding 10.79%, the index has delivered over 24% in Q2 2026 alone. The next technical focus is the 70,000 level, with some analysts projecting a push toward 72,600 by June’s close. Sector divergence remains a clear risk, but AI infrastructure spending and the global demand for semiconductors continue to make Japan’s benchmark index one to watch closely through the second half of 2026.

Disclaimer

The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.