Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average rebounded 1.94%, or 1,272.45 yen, on September 30 to close at 66,753.72, its highest closing level since August 18. The broader Topix Index rose 1.67%. Technology shares led the recovery after U.S. semiconductor stocks advanced, with SoftBank Group climbing 6.6% following reports that OpenAI was seeking at least $30 billion at a $1.4 trillion valuation. Lower oil prices also supported risk appetite after Saudi Arabia restored about half the capacity of its East-West pipeline and the Trump administration ordered another release of emergency reserves. The Nikkei posted a modest September gain but recorded its first quarterly decline since the first quarter of 2025, amid the prolonged US-Iran conflict, higher bond yields and a July selloff in AI-related shares.