Nikkei tops 53,000 on election speculation

Monitors display the closing Nikkei 225 index and foreign exchange rates at the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo, Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 13, 2026. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 finished at a record 53,549, rising above 53,000 for the first time amid buying triggered by media reports that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is considering calling a snap general election.