The Nikkei Stock Average rose 45.29 points, or 0.07%, to 66,445.13 by the September 8 morning close in Tokyo after opening down 556.15 points at 65,843.69. The index climbed as high as 66,718.83 as investors bought semiconductor-related shares on expectations for sustained artificial intelligence (AI) demand and following gains in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index. SoftBank Group, Advantest and Tokyo Electron together added roughly 600 points to the Nikkei. The yen’s sharp appreciation into the 153 range against the dollar weighed on automobile and machinery stocks by raising concerns about export earnings, while persistently high crude oil prices also pressured sentiment. TOPIX fell 23.75 points to 4,102.05, and more than 70% of Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market issues declined, highlighting the market’s narrow reliance on large-cap semiconductor stocks.