Japan margin trading doubles in 6 months, lifted by pricey AI stocks

EquitiesRetail investors increasingly using leverage to take positions in Kioxia, othersOutstanding margin-buy positions in Kioxia totaled 13.23 million shares as of Friday, worth about 631.5 billion yen. (Photo by Kazuho Fujiwara)KOSUKE IGUCHIAugust 13, 2026 03:47 JSTTOKYO -- Margin trading is booming in Japan, reaching a total of 123 trillion yen ($772 billion) in July -- double the figure six months earlier -- as retail investors using leverage to trade high-priced artificial intelligence and other stocks boosts liquidity in the market.