Stock markets in Japan and South Korea surged today. On Monday, January 5, the Nikkei 225 closed up 1,493.32 points, or 2.97%, at 51,832.80, led by gains in chip and heavy industry stocks. South Korea’s KOSPI index closed up 147.89 points, or 3.43%, at 4,457.52 on Monday, January 5, hitting a record closing high, with chip and defense stocks leading the gains; Samsung Electronics rose 7.47%, marking its largest single-day gain since March 24, 2020.