TOKYO: Japan’s benchmark Nikkei share average closed at a record high on Friday, posting its biggest monthly gain in four months, as investors bet on corporate earnings strength.
The Nikkei reversed early losses to end up 0.16 percent at 58,850.27.
The index jumped 10.4 percent in February - its strongest monthly performance since October 2025 - after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s landslide election win in February general elections spurred bets for big fiscal spending.
The broader Topix rose 1.5 percent to 3,938.68 and also jumped 10.4 percent for the month, marking its biggest monthly gain since November 2020.
“The market became cautious about the fast-paced rally as the Nikkei neared the 60,000-mark, but investors are bullish on the two-digit profit growth rate of companies in Japan in the coming fiscal year,” said Hiroyasu Mori, head of research at Okachi Securities.
Fast Retailing, owner of the Uniqlo brand, rose 1.62 percent, making the biggest contribution to the Nikkei’s gain.
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