Asian Bourses Soar! Japan's Nikkei 225 Hits New Record High Driven by 'Takaichi Trade'

Asian stock markets opened higher on Thursday, February 26, 2026. The gains were led by Japan’s Nikkei 225 index, which hit a new record high amid growing investor optimism about the Japanese government’s pro-growth economic policies.

The Nikkei 225 index jumped 1.1 percent to 59,199.31, extending its record-breaking rally for the third consecutive session. Meanwhile, the Topix index, which reflects the broader market, also rose 1.45 percent and broke through a new high.

The Japanese stock market rally is being driven by a phenomenon known as the ‘Takaichi trade,’ which refers to investor optimism about the policies of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, which are seen as pro-growth. Investors expect that expansionary fiscal and loose monetary policies will boost stock prices, even if they weaken the yen.

The positive sentiment was further strengthened after the Japanese government appointed Ayano Sato from Aoyama Gakuin University and Toichiro Asada from Chuo University as new members of the central bank’s board (Bank of Japan/BoJ). Both are known to have dovish views on monetary policy, or support for economic stimulus.

The two officials will replace previous board members whose terms expire in March and June. This move reinforces expectations that Japan will maintain its loose monetary policy to support economic growth.

The market also strengthened in other parts of Asia. South Korea’s Kospi index jumped 1.65 percent, while the Kosdaq small-cap index rose 0.57 percent.

Shares of chipmakers in the country were the main drivers. Samsung Electronics shares rose 1.97 percent, followed by a 2.26 percent jump in SK Hynix shares.

In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.8 percent and also hit a new record high. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index futures traded higher at 26,947, exceeding the previous closing level of 26,765.72.

The strengthening of Asian bourses is inseparable from the positive sentiment from Wall Street. U.S. stock markets closed higher, driven by a surge in technology stocks, especially Nvidia and Oracle.

The S&P 500 index rose 0.81 percent to 6,946.13 and the Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.26 percent to 23,152.08. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also rose 307.65 points, or 0.63 percent, to 49,482.15.