Tokyo, December 30 (QNA) - The Japanese Nikkei index fell in the final trading days of 2025, affected by a decline in technology sector stocks, which had been a key driver of the substantial gains the index achieved over the course of the year.

The Nikkei index declined by 0.4 percent to close at 50,339.48 points, while the broader Topix index fell by 0.5 percent. Despite this decline, the Nikkei ended 2025 up 26 percent, recording gains for the third consecutive year, the largest since 2023. Meanwhile, the Topix posted annual gains of 22 percent.

The Nikkei had received strong support during the year after touching a new record level on Nov. 4, following the election of Sanai Takaichi as prime minister, backed by expectations of the launch of a broad fiscal stimulus package.

At the stock level, SoftBank shares fell by 1.9 percent, exerting the largest downward pressure on the Nikkei index, despite having achieved strong gains of 93 percent during 2025.

In Tuesday's session, shares of 61 companies listed on the Nikkei rose, compared with declines in 162 stocks. Fujitsu was the biggest gainer, rising 2.3 percent, followed by Screen Holdings, which advanced 1.6 percent.

The biggest losers were Sumitomo Metal Mining, whose shares plunged 4.8 percent, followed by Rakuten Group's online retail shares, which fell 2.7 percent. (QNA)