Japan: Japan's stock indices closed higher at the end of Thursday's trading session.

According to Qatar News Agency, the benchmark Nikkei 225 index finished trading up 0.3 percent, closing at 58,753.39 points, marking the highest closing level ever. The index had risen as high as 59,332.43 points earlier in the session, surpassing the 59,000-point level for the first time, driven by gains in software company shares and easing concerns about potential disruptions from artificial intelligence.

The broader Topix index also experienced growth, rising 1 percent to close at 3,880.34 points. Software-related companies led the charge, with shares of software test services firm Shift soaring 14.4 percent, the largest percentage gain on the Nikkei and its biggest rise since July 2024. Shares of IT services firm NEC Corp increased by 9.4 percent, while shares of Fujitsu climbed 6 percent.

The banking sector was among the top performers on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, with Mizuho Financial Group's shares rising 5.1 percent. Shares of its rival Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group saw a 3.3 percent increase.

However, not all sectors fared well. Electronic component maker Taiyo Yuden experienced the biggest percentage loss on the Nikkei, with shares dropping 4.7 percent. Wire and cable manufacturer Sumitomo Electric Industries saw a 4.4 percent decline, as did department store Takashimaya.

Overall, there were 143 advancing stocks and 76 declining stocks on the Nikkei index.