Tokyo: Japan's Nikkei index rose to a new record high today, supported by gains in major technology stocks, including SoftBank Group.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Nikkei struggled to find direction at the start of Asian trading but ultimately rose 0.5 percent, reaching 59,644.37 points. Meanwhile, the broader Topix index fell 0.6 percent, settling at 3,747.69 points.
Heavyweight stocks played a crucial role in supporting the benchmark. SoftBank Group, a technology investment conglomerate, surged 9.3 percent, while Advantest, a chip testing equipment maker, rose 2.2 percent. SoftBank and Advantest contributed approximately 385 and 156 points to the index, respectively.
In total, 42 stocks advanced on the Nikkei, while 181 stocks saw declines.