History of Nikkei 225 in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 4, 2025

The Nikkei 225 is a price-weighted stock market index for the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), measuring the performance of 225 highly capitalized and liquid Japanese companies across diverse sectors. Operating in Japanese Yen (JP¥), the index is reviewed bi-annually and calculated every five seconds since 2017. Originally launched in 1950 by the TSE, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper assumed responsibility in 1970 after the exchange shifted its focus to the market capitalization-weighted TOPIX (Tokyo Stock Price Index). The Nikkei 225 serves as a key indicator of the Japanese stock market and economy.

1914: Nikkei 225 Calculated Back to 1914

The annual development of the Nikkei 225, which was calculated back to 1914.

May 1949: Nikkei 225 Retroactive Calculation

The Nikkei 225 was retroactively calculated back to May 16, 1949, when the average price of its component stocks was 176.21 yen.

September 1950: Nikkei 225 Calculation Begins

On September 7, 1950, the Nikkei 225 began to be calculated.

1950: Nikkei 225 Launched

In 1950, the Tokyo Stock Exchange originally launched the Nikkei 225.

1970: Nihon Keizai Shimbun Takes Over Nikkei 225

In 1970, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper took over the Nikkei 225 when the Tokyo Exchange switched to the Tokyo Stock Price Index (TOPIX).

1982: Nikkei at Lowest Year-End Closing Value Since 1982

In 2011, the Nikkei fell over 17%, finishing the year at 8,455.35, its lowest year-end closing value since 1982, when the index finished at 8,016.70.

1986: Nikkei 225 Futures Introduced at Singapore Exchange

In 1986, the Nikkei 225 Futures were introduced at the Singapore Exchange (SGX).

1987: Nikkei surpassed 1987's Black Monday

On August 5, 2024, amid a global stock market decline, the Nikkei dropped by more than 4,200 points, surpassing 1987's Black Monday as its biggest single-day drop in history.

1988: Nikkei 225 Futures Introduced at Osaka Securities Exchange

In 1988, the Nikkei 225 Futures were introduced at the Osaka Securities Exchange (OSE).

December 1989: Nikkei Reaches Bubble-Era Record High

On December 29, 1989, the Nikkei hit its bubble-era record high, reaching an intraday high of 38,957.44 before closing at 38,915.87.

1989: Nikkei reaches record high

The Nikkei reached its record high in 1989 during the Japanese asset price bubble.

1990: Nikkei 225 Futures Introduced at Chicago Mercantile Exchange

In 1990, the Nikkei 225 Futures were introduced at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME).

October 2008: Nikkei Reaches Post-Bubble Intraday Low

On October 28, 2008, the Nikkei reached a post-bubble intraday low of 6,994.90, which was 82% below its peak nearly 19 years earlier.

March 2009: Nikkei at Lowest Close Since March 2009

On November 25, 2011, the Nikkei bottomed out at 8,160.01, putting it at its lowest close since March 31, 2009.

March 2011: Nikkei Drops After Earthquake

On March 15, 2011, the second working day after the massive earthquake in the northeast part of Japan, the Nikkei index dropped over 10% to finish at 8,605.15, a loss of 1,015 points.

2013: Bank of Japan Purchases of ETFs Start

Concerns arose that the rise since 2013 was artificial and due to purchases by the Bank of Japan ("BOJ").

2013: Nikkei Starts 2013 Near 10,600

The Nikkei started 2013 near 10,600, hitting a peak of 15,942 in May, before plunging by almost 10% and rebounding, making it the most volatile stock market index among the developed markets.

2015: Nikkei Reaches Over 20,000 Mark in 2015

By 2015, the Nikkei had reached over 20,000 mark, marking a gain of over 10,000 in two years, making it one of the fastest growing stock market indices in the world.

July 2017: Nikkei 225 Index Updated Every 5 Seconds

Since July 2017, the Nikkei 225 index is updated every 5 seconds during trading sessions.

2017: Bank of Japan's ETF Ownership

From a start in 2013, by end 2017, the BOJ owned circa 75% of all Japanese Exchange Traded Funds ("ETFs"), and were a top 10 shareholder of 90% of the Nikkei 225 constituents.

2017: Nikkei 225 Calculation Frequency Increased

Since 2017, the Nikkei 225 index is calculated every five seconds.

2018: Nikkei Growth More Moderate at Around 22,000 Mark in 2018

By 2018, the Nikkei index growth was more moderate, at around the 22,000 mark.

February 2021: Nikkei Breaches 30,000 Benchmark

On February 15, 2021, the Nikkei average breached the 30,000 benchmark, its highest level in 30 years, due to monetary stimulus and asset purchase programs by the Bank of Japan to mitigate the financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

October 2023: Nikkei 225 Composition in October 2023

As of October 2023, the Nikkei 225 consists of specific companies identified by their Japanese securities identification code.

February 2024: Nikkei Surpasses 1989 Record High

On February 22, 2024, the Nikkei reached an intraday high of 39,156.97 and closed at 39,098.68, finally surpassing its 1989 record high.

March 2024: Nikkei Surpasses 40,000 for the First Time

On March 4, 2024, the Nikkei surpassed 40,000 (intraday and closing) for the first time in history.

July 2024: Fast Retailing Has Largest Influence on Nikkei 225

As of July 2024, Fast Retailing (TYO: 9983) has the largest influence on the Nikkei 225 index, at about 10% weight.

August 2024: Nikkei Experiences Biggest Single-Day Drop and Gain

On August 5, 2024, amid a global stock market decline, the Nikkei dropped by more than 4,200 points, surpassing 1987's Black Monday as its biggest single-day drop in history. The following day, it bounced back by more than 3,200 points, the largest single-day gain in history.