issued Wednesday, March 18, 2026 · 10:51 am
[TOKYO] Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average rose nearly 2% on Wednesday, led by semiconductor and artificial intelligence stocks, as concerns about the economic impact of soaring oil prices subsided.
As of 0140 GMT, the Nikkei Stock Average was up 1.91% at $54,726.58, while the broader TOPIX index was up 1.66% at $3,687.35.
Shutaro Yasuda, a market analyst at the Tokai Tokyo Intelligence Institute, said, “The stock market has been closely linked to the price of crude oil.Today’s market has eased excessive concerns about the future of crude oil prices, and has scooped up heavily weighted high-tech stocks.”
Yasuda said the rise in the Nikkei stock average was further supported by overnight gains on Wall Street.
Shares of Delta Air Lines and American Airlines Group, which are sensitive to oil price trends, have rebounded after falling in recent weeks.
Amid concerns about prolonged supply disruptions due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz route, crude oil prices continue to hover around $100 per barrel.
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Oil prices fell slightly in Asian trade after sources cited American Petroleum Institute statistics showing an increase in U.S. crude inventories.
In Japan, chip testing equipment maker Advantest rose 4.95%, while AI technology investor SoftBank Group rose 5%. Fiber optic cable maker Fujikura rose 3.6%.
Mitsui OSK Lines shares rose 10% after Reuters reported that Elliott Investment Management had acquired a “substantial” stake in the Japanese shipping company.
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Pharmaceutical company Chugai Pharmaceutical fell 4%, the biggest decliner on the Nikkei average. Reuters
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