The Nikkei 225 Index jumped around 4% to roughly 62,000 in post-holiday trading on Thursday, reaching a new record as strong technology earnings and growing expectations of a Middle East peace deal lifted global risk sentiment. Reports indicated that the US and Iran are close to a one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict, with provisions that could eventually lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a framework for further nuclear negotiations. Japanese equities caught up with gains in global markets, as upbeat results from major US technology firms reinforced optimism around artificial intelligence. Advanced Micro Devices rallied nearly 20% overnight after strong earnings. In Japan, notable gains were seen across AI- and semiconductor-linked stocks, including Advantest (7%), SoftBank Group (11%), Fujikura (7%), Keyence (6%) and Lasertec (7%).