Japan Market Daily | Kabutaro & Friends

On July 23, 2026, Tokyo's Nikkei 225 rebounded, closing up 307.00 points (+0.46%) at 66,422.60, while the TOPIX rose to 4,053.88. Although the Dow had edged lower in the previous session, AI and semiconductor stocks recovered on reassurance from Alphabet's (Google) plans to expand investment, and firmness in South Korean and US chip shares helped push the Nikkei up as much as 900 points after the open. With few fresh catalysts, however, the rally faded once short covering ran its course, and gains were pared back by the close. In New York on the 22nd, President Trump warned on social media that the US would strike Iranian power facilities if Iran attacked civilian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran immediately vowed to retaliate against Gulf-state infrastructure, sending oil prices higher; rising long-term rates on inflation concerns also weighed on US stocks. USD/JPY traded near 163, moving in a range of 162.99 to 163.15 during the day. Oil (WTI) fell below $88 per barrel, while gold traded around $4,071 per ounce.