Japan's Nikkei 225 Index achieved a record closing high of 59,716.18 on Friday, reflecting a 0.97% increase, and marking its third consecutive weekly gain of 2.1%. The surge was fueled by positive earnings forecasts from major technology companies, notably Intel, which reported second-quarter revenue expectations that exceeded Wall Street's predictions. This optimism in the tech sector helped offset concerns over geopolitical instability in the Middle East, particularly following the extension of a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel. Ibiden, a Japanese supplier to Intel, saw its shares skyrocket by 12.6%, leading the gains on the Nikkei. However, not all stocks performed well; Canon's shares dropped by 7.9% after the company revised its earnings forecast downward. According to Wataru Akiyama, an equities strategist at Nomura Securities, the Japanese market's upward movement is driven by relief regarding Middle Eastern tensions and continued expectations of growth in the artificial intelligence sector.