Japan’s stock market is back — for real this time — and AI is only part of the story

Business

Japan's stock market is making another comeback. This time, it may finally be shedding its reputation as a value trap. After four decades of stagnation and false dawns, the Nikkei 225 is hovering near record highs as AI enthusiasm lifts semiconductor and industrial stocks. SoftBank's bets on OpenAI, Arm, and AI infrastructure have also made it one of Japan's highest-profile AI plays. Meanwhile, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway is doubling down on Japanese trading houses, while foreign