On 15 March 2011 , the second working day after the massive earthquake in the northeast part of Japan , the index dropped over 10 % to finish at 8605.15 , a loss of 1,015 points . The index continued to drop throughout 2011 , bottoming out at 8160.01 on 25 November , putting it at its lowest close since 10 March 2009 . The Nikkei fell over 17 % in 2011 , finishing the year at 8455.35 , its lowest year-end closing value in thirty years , when the index finished at 8016.70 in 1982 . The Nikkei started 2013 near 10,600 , hitting a peak of 15,942 in May . However , shortly afterward , it plunged by almost 10 % before rebounding , making it the most volatile stock market index among the developed markets . By 2015 , it has reached over 20,000 mark ; marking a gain of over 10,000 in two years , making it one of the fastest growing stock market indexes in the world . However , by 2018 , the index growth has been more moderate at around the 22,000 mark
massive earthquake in the northeast part of Japan
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
Nikkei 225