Nikkei 225 Closes at 62,188.63 After Sharp AI-Driven Selloff
Published on 11/04/2026 at 18:39 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSNikkei 225 Ends Volatile Session
- The Nikkei 225 closed at 62,188.63 on November 4, down 893.23 points, or 1.42 percent, from Monday's close.
- Artificial intelligence, data-center and semiconductor stocks came under heavy selling pressure as U.S. midterm results pointed to Democratic control of both chambers of Congress.
- The index recovered much of its intraday decline after bargain hunting emerged, according to Jiji Press.
The Nikkei 225 ended Wednesday's Tokyo session at 62,188.63, down 893.23 points, or 1.42 percent, from Monday's close. Japan's market was closed on Tuesday for a national holiday. The closing level and point change were reported by Jiji Press.
Technology Stocks Drive Volatility
The index briefly lost more than 3,000 points as investors sold artificial intelligence- and data-center-related shares. According to Jiji Press, published by Adnkronos, vote counting in the U.S. midterm elections pointed to Democratic majorities in both chambers of Congress. That increased concern that tighter artificial-intelligence regulation could hamper investment in data centers.
The selling was concentrated in technology and semiconductor-related issues, leaving the tech-heavy Nikkei particularly exposed. About 70 percent of Prime-market names declined, while the broader TOPIX fell 34.90 points, or 0.89 percent, to 3,895.38, according to the same Jiji Press report.
Afternoon Recovery Limits Losses
The Nikkei gradually widened its losses as the election outlook became clearer, but the decline moderated later in the session. Jiji Press described the move as an overreaction because Democratic control had already been anticipated by some investors. Bargain hunting emerged after the initial selling eased, helping the index recover a substantial portion of its intraday decline.
For investors, the session underscored the sensitivity of Japanese technology shares to changes in expectations for U.S. regulation and global artificial-intelligence spending. The closing move reflects the November 4 session against the November 2 close, the last completed Tokyo trading session before the holiday.
Further coverage of the Nikkei 225 is available in the dedicated topic section.
