Japanese shares mixed as tech stocks diverge; Nikkei slips, Topix gains

Japanese shares ended mixed on Thursday, the Nikkei 225 slipped 0.2% to 66,132, while the broader Topix gained 0.15% to 4,117, as technology stocks diverged, lacking clear direction. Nvidia's strong sales outlook supported sentiment, reinforcing expectations for AI infrastructure demand, while supplier Advantest fell 3.1%, weighing on the sector. Kioxia Holdings jumped 5% after reports of a new chipmaking plant in northern Japan to expand storage production for AI development. Japanese technology companies remain closely linked to the global AI infrastructure boom, which has helped drive the country's stock market higher over the past year. The mixed trading reflects ongoing sector rotation as investors weigh AI-driven growth against valuation concerns. The Nikkei's slight decline contrasts with the Topix's gain, highlighting divergent performance between large-cap exporters and broader domestic firms.