Japan's Nikkei share average surpassed the 59,000 mark for the first time on Thursday. AFP picTOKYO: Japan's Nikkei share average surpassed the 59,000 mark for the first time on Thursday, led by software-related shares as investor fears over artificial intelligence disruption eased. The benchmark Nikkei 225 Index was up 0.2 per cent at 58,672.37 after climbing as high as 59,332.43 earlier in the day. So far, the Nikkei is up 16.4 per cent for the year. Software-related shares surged, with software test service firm Shift jumping 11.3 per cent to become the largest percentage gainer on the Nikkei.

Source: New Strait Times February 26, 2026 02:29 UTC