Doha: Japan's Nikkei share average reversed course to end higher on Monday, as chip-related stocks cut losses after South Korea rolled out sweeping chip and AI mega-projects. The Nikkei closed 0.15% higher at 69,468.11, after initially falling as much as 1.97% earlier in the session. The broader Topix rose 0.47% to 3,982.

According to Qatar News Agency, memory chipmaker Kioxia narrowed its early loss, ending 4.5% lower. Meanwhile, chip-testing equipment maker Advantest fell 1.51%, while chip-making equipment maker Tokyo Electron rose 2.44%. These shares declined in early trade following the Philadelphia SE semiconductor index's 5.3% fall on Friday.

Game maker Nintendo, whose profits have been squeezed by rising memory chip prices, jumped 5.25%, while Sony Group saw a rise of 3.13%. However, the mining sector experienced a decline of 1.83%, and oil refiners fell by 1.07%.