Japan's Nikkei tops 67,000 on AI boost; SoftBank becomes most valuable Japanese firm

Japan's Nikkei stock average closed above 67,000 for the first time, driven by investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence. SoftBank Group surged to become the most valuable company in Japan by market capitalization. The rally reflects global demand for AI-related technology stocks and semiconductor equipment. SoftBank's stake in Arm Holdings, a chip designer, has significantly boosted its valuation. The Nikkei's milestone marks a historic high for the index. Analysts attribute the climb to sustained foreign investment in Japanese equities tied to AI growth expectations.