Asia's stock markets continued to accelerate on AI-related momentum as Japan's benchmark index rejoined trading after a holiday and vaulted higher, joining South Korea and Taiwan at record levels. The Nikkei 225 jumped nearly 6% on the session, contributing to a broader Asian advance driven by robust technology company results that have underpinned enthusiasm about artificial intelligence.
The Nikkei's rally has lifted it about 25% year-to-date, though it remains behind Seoul's KOSPI, which has seen an extraordinary 75% surge in 2026 and remains the best-performing major market globally for the year. Taiwan's market has also enjoyed strong gains, rising roughly 45% so far this year. For comparison, U.S. tech-heavy benchmarks have advanced more modestly: the Nasdaq is up about 11% in 2026 while the S&P 500 has climbed nearly 8%.
The AI-led lift in Asian equities has coincided with milestone valuations for regional chipmakers. Samsung Electronics has joined Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. in the trillion-dollar market-cap group, and SK Hynix is reported to be closing in on that level.
Currency markets drew attention as the yen traded near 156.35 per U.S. dollar in Asian hours, appearing stable on the surface but punctuated by a string of sudden moves in recent sessions. Market participants watched closely for signs of intervention after sources said Tokyo had stepped into markets late last week, with money market data indicating sales of about $35 billion intended to support the yen. Since that action, the market recorded three sharp spikes in the yen, including a move on Wednesday that took the currency to a 10-week high of 155 per U.S. dollar.
Japan's top currency diplomat said the country faces no restrictions on how frequently it can intervene in foreign-exchange markets and that authorities remain in daily contact with U.S. counterparts. Officials and traders said upcoming data releases later in the day could provide further clarity on whether Tokyo had again acted in the market.
In the Middle East, reports indicated that Tehran is considering a U.S. peace proposal that, if accepted, would formally end the conflict while leaving unresolved key U.S. demands related to Iran's nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The strait has effectively been at a standstill since the war began at the end of February, a disruption that sent oil prices sharply higher and stoked inflation concerns.
Recent signals about a potential accord appear to have eased some pressure on oil, but prices remain near $100 per barrel - substantially above pre-conflict levels. Improved risk sentiment has also weighed on the U.S. dollar, which softened as investors moved back toward risk assets.
Across the Atlantic, Britain's local elections are drawing focus from global bond markets. Investors are watching for any poor performance by the ruling Labour Party that could trigger an internal leadership challenge and elevate worries about fiscal slippage - a dynamic bond investors said could influence sovereign yields and credit risk perceptions.
Key data ahead that could influence market sentiment include April purchasing managers' index readings for Germany, France and the United Kingdom, which market participants will scrutinize for further evidence of economic momentum or slowing.
Market context: Technology earnings and AI optimism are driving significant equity gains across Asia. At the same time, currency volatility and geopolitical developments in the Middle East are introducing directional uncertainty into oil, FX and fixed income markets.