In Tokyo on Monday, the Topix index had its highest close since July 2001 as it gained 0.3 percent to 1,248.77. Meanwhile, the Nikkei 225 lost 0.1 percent on the day to a closing level of 12,256.55.

Still, the Nikkei was not far from the four-year high it reached last week. Commodity producers were up due to higher market prices and strong demand.

Nippon Steel was up after it said it would spend money on new equipment made necessary by growing demand, gaining 2.7 percent to ¥301. Tokyo Steel Manufacturing was also up, by 1 percent to ¥1,476. Rising copper prices led to gains by companies with interests in copper.

Mitsubishi Materials, for example, gained 3.1 percent to ¥329. Oil prices, up to record highs at the end of last week, helped the oil sector to gains. AOC holdings was up 1.2 percent to ¥2,020. Nippon Mining, with interests in both oil and copper, also saw a gain, adding 2.5 percent to ¥740.

The banking and securities sector continued to do well on new optimizing about growth in the Japanese economy. Brokerage firm Nomura was up 0.7 percent to ¥1,486.

Automobile manufacturers, however, were down on the day after Friday’s news of dips in US consumer sentiment. Honda lost 2.1 percent to ¥5,640 and Toyota declined by 1.1 percent to ¥4,330.