Japan’s Nikkei 225 closed the year above 50,000 points for the first time, finishing 2025 up about 26% from the start of the year. The milestone was recorded on Dec. 30, 2025, as the index benefited from broad gains across the market.

Kyodo reports that investor interest in artificial intelligence (AI) and expectations for economic measures from new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi helped drive the advance.

The move marks a notable year for Japanese equities as AI-related themes and hopes for policy action coincided with strong index performance, according to Kyodo. #Nikkei225 #Japan #AI #FiatNews