Japan Market Daily | Kabutaro & Friends

On July 21, 2026, Tokyo's Nikkei 225 rebounded sharply for the first time in three sessions, closing up 2,091.07 points (+3.26%) at 66,232.19. The TOPIX also rose 95.74 points to 4,014.95. Bargain-hunting buying led the market following the previous week's sharp decline on July 17, supported by a rise in the US Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) on the 20th and a more than 3% jump in South Korea's KOSPI on the 21st, with AI and semiconductor stocks leading gains. Kioxia Holdings, which had plunged the previous week, ranked among the top gainers on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market. USD/JPY traded around 162.50. Oil prices rose on Yemen's Houthi forces announcing a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia and escalating tensions with Iran, with WTI trading at $82-83 per barrel and Brent at $89-90. Gold prices traded in a range around $4,000 per ounce.