Japanese equities rose on market optimism over potential ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran. Short-term foreign capital buying in futures also propelled the broader market higher. The Nikkei 225 opened up 582 points and extended gains during the session, once rising 1,477 points to a high of 57,979. It closed up 1,374 points, or 2.4%, at 57,877.Artificial intelligence-related and semiconductor stocks led the rally. SoftBank (9984.JP) and Kioxia (285A.JP) surged 12.7% and 11.9%, respectively. Advantest (6857.JP) climbed 8.5%, while Disco (6146.JP) and Raito Kogyo (6920.JP) rose 6.3% and 3.8%. Tokyo Electron (8035.JP) gained 2.9%. Cable makers Furukawa Electric (5801.JP) and Fujikura (5803.JP) advanced 3.5% and 4.2%.Heavy machinery maker Kawasaki Heavy Industries (7012.JP) added 3%. Among metal stocks, JX Metals (5016.JP) jumped 11.2%, while Mitsui Mining & Smelting (5706.JP) and Sumitomo Metal Mining (5713.JP) rose 5% and 5.4%. Rare earth-related Mitsui E&S (6269.JP) gained 3.1%. Oil producer Inpex (1605.JP) fell 2%.Among other stocks, Fast Retailing (9983.JP) slipped 0.6%, Hitachi (6501.JP) rose 5.2%, while Sanrio (8136.JP) and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (9107.JP) advanced 2% and 3.3%.The USD/JPY was last quoted at 159.19. (fc/w)
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