Nikkei Plunges 4.9% in Worst Day Since March as AI Capex Doubts Gut Chip Stocks; Pharma Shelters the Rout

The Nikkei 225 fell 3,318 points to 64,425.95 on Thursday — its steepest drop since March — as a hot U.S. CPI print and credit stress in AI infrastructure hammered semiconductor names. The TSE short-selling ratio held at 39.4%, while pharma, real estate and retail caught the defensive rotation.

Nikkei Slips for a Fifth Session as a 600-Point Morning Rally Evaporates on Chip-Sector Jitters

The Nikkei 225 gave back an early advance of more than 600 points to close marginally lower at 67,744.29 on Wednesday, its fifth straight decline, as ASML’s quarterly disclosures triggered afternoon selling in high-multiple tech. The yen stayed weak near 158.4, banks extended a brutal week, and the TSE short-selling ratio eased to 39.0%.

Japan NISA Guide: ¥3.6M Tax-Free Limits and Retail Flow Data

Japan’s expanded NISA allows ¥3.6 million a year (¥18 million lifetime) of investing exempt from Japanese tax on eligible gains — yet in JPX weekly data individuals net sold ¥0.05 trillion while foreigners net bought ¥0.73 trillion (week of Sep 7–11, 2026). Here is what NISA money actually buys, why much of it leaves Japan entirely, and how to read the retail line in the weekly investor-type tables.

Nikkei Sinks 1.8% in Chip-Led Rout While TOPIX Edges Higher — Japan’s Value Rotation Broadens

The Nikkei 225 fell 1,253 points to 67,777.52, its fourth straight loss, as Tokyo Electron and SoftBank Group tumbled — yet 11 of 17 sectors advanced and TOPIX edged up 0.14% (its 1306 ETF proxy closed unchanged). Short-selling stood at 38.3% of turnover, near the low end of its recent range.

Nikkei Slips Below 70,000 as Tech and Banks Lead Profit-Taking; Short-Sell Ratio Hits 41.6%

The Nikkei 225 fell 1.42% to 69,042.11 on Thursday, a second straight decline, as SoftBank Group, MUFG and chip-equipment names bore the brunt of profit-taking. TSE short selling rose to 41.6% of turnover — the defensive end of the recent range — ahead of Friday’s options SQ.

Japan Semiconductor Cycle: How to Read SEAJ Billings & Inventories

Japan’s chip-equipment cycle runs on five public gauges: SEAJ monthly billings read as a three-month average year on year, global semiconductor sales, customer capex guidance, order backlogs, and inventory days. Here is the reading order, the confirmation rules that separate a real turn from noise, and how to cross-check with JPX short-sale and Japan Securities Finance margin data.