Nikkei 225 closes 1.42 percent lower at 62,188.63
Published on 11/04/2026 at 13:35 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSNikkei 225 closes sharply lower
- The Nikkei 225 ended November 4 at 62,188.63, down 893.23 points or 1.42 percent from the previous session.
- AI and semiconductor stocks came under heavy pressure as U.S. midterm results raised concerns about tighter technology regulation and data-center investment.
- The index recovered from an intraday low of 60,030.10 as investors bought into the late-session weakness.
The Nikkei 225 ended Wednesday's Tokyo session sharply lower after selling in artificial intelligence and semiconductor-related shares briefly pushed the index below 60,100 points. The benchmark recovered part of its losses in the afternoon but still posted its third consecutive decline after trading resumed from Japan's Culture Day holiday.
According to Jiji Press, the Nikkei Average closed at 62,188.63 at 15:30 Tokyo time on November 4, equivalent to 07:30 Berlin time. It lost 893.23 points from the previous trading session's close of 63,081.86, a decline of 1.42 percent. Tokyo trading was already finished before the configured European midday slot.
Technology shares lead the retreat
The main pressure came from AI, data-center and semiconductor exposures. As vote counting in the U.S. midterm elections increasingly indicated Democratic control of both chambers of Congress, investors worried that tighter regulation could restrict data-center construction and slow capital spending on advanced chips. Jiji Press reported that the Nikkei fell as much as 3,051.76 points, or 4.84 percent, to 60,030.10 at 13:37 Tokyo time.
News On Japan reported that Advantest, Tokyo Electron, SoftBank Group, Kioxia Holdings and Kyocera were among the companies facing pressure. The report also cited broader concerns about elevated technology valuations after strong gains earlier in the year. Component makers including Taiyo Yuden and Murata Manufacturing were also weak.
Late recovery limits the damage
The benchmark had fallen 2,246.50 points by the 11:30 Tokyo morning close, when it stood at 60,835.36. Selling intensified after the midday break, but bargain hunting and selective buying helped the index recover. The afternoon rebound reduced the loss to 1,206 points by 15:00 before the market finished at its reported close.
The session illustrates the Nikkei's sensitivity to shifts in expectations for the global technology investment cycle. Stronger corporate earnings elsewhere in Japan did not prevent risk reduction in high-growth technology shares, while the policy implications of the U.S. election added a further source of uncertainty. Investors are now turning to another major round of Japanese earnings, including results from Toyota Motor, Nintendo and Nippon Steel scheduled for November 5, according to News On Japan.
Further coverage is available on the Nikkei 225 topic page.
