Chip stocks boost the Nikkei index by 0.6%

The Japanese stock market has been trending higher driven by chip-related stocks, despite ongoing uncertainty caused by the US-Iran conflict. Lasertec rose by 4.0% and the Rohm Semiconductor Group increased by 3.6%. Investors are closely watching developments in the Middle East as well as Japanese corporate earnings. Fanuc is set to announce its quarterly performance later on Friday. The Nikkei index rose by 0.6% to 59,502.77 points.