By Junko Fujita

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan’s Fujikura has become a standout in the red-hot Nikkei share gauge on expectations the century-old wire maker will benefit from increased investment in artificial intelligence data centres that use its optical fibres.

The firm got another leg up this week, rising 6% after Sanae Takaichi was elected prime minister following pledges of targeted investment in AI and other key industries.

Since the start of 2025, shares in Fujikura are up more than 160%, outpacing the Nikkei’s 22% advance to an all-time high. Its market value of about $33 billion now rivals that of better-known Japanese manufacturers such as air-conditioning maker Daikin and construction equipment manufacturer Komatsu.

Ups and downs in global equities have been increasingly tied to th

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