Tokyo stocks edge up over tech gains

TOKYO — Tokyo stocks edged up on Thursday as investor sentiment was buoyed by gains in U.S. tech stocks overnight.

The benchmark, Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, closed at 39,785.90, up 23.42 points, or 0.06 percent, from the previous trading day.

The Nasdaq Composite in the U.S. hit a record high, fueled by expectations of interest rate cuts and strong buying in tech giants like Nvidia. The trend carried over to Tokyo, where heavyweight semiconductor stocks such as Tokyo Electron and Advantest supported the Nikkei.

A pause in yen’s appreciation in the morning also helped lift major stocks. However, uncertainty surrounding U.S.-Japan tariff negotiations, fiscal concerns in the UK, and rising domestic long-term interest rates weighed on the market, resulting in a lack of clear direction and some intraday dips in the Nikkei.

The broader TOPIX index also rebounded modestly, rising 2.95 points, or 0.1 percent, to close at 2,828.99.

On the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, 827 rose, 735 fell, and 65 remained flat. / Xinhua