Japanese equities surge as Nikkei tops 70,000 and J‑League sponsors see stock gains

The Nikkei 225 reached a record 72,366 points on 25 June, driven by strong performance of AI and semiconductor firms and a wave of foreign institutional buying that totalled about ¥9.7 trillion in the first half of the year. The rise is supported by a weak yen, export‑oriented manufacturers posting better results, and government policies aimed at fostering unicorns and high‑tech investment.

Separately, a ranking of the share prices of companies that own or sponsor J‑League clubs, compiled on 31 July, shows Hitachi Ltd. leading at ¥5,267 per share, followed by Mercari, Panasonic Holdings (which jumped ¥700), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kyocera. The list highlights the varied performance of corporate owners and major sponsors linked to Japan’s top‑flight football league.