TOKYO: Japan’s Nikkei share average closed at a record high for a third straight session on Wednesday, ending just shy of the 70,000 mark, on easing concerns over the Middle East conflict and sustained buying in AI-related shares ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s policy decision.
The Nikkei rose 0.7% to close at 69,902.25 after touching an intraday high of 70,125.75. The broader Topix climbed 0.6% to 4,013.23.
Details of a US-Iran interim deal to end the conflict are emerging, with President Donald Trump saying it would rule out a nuclear weapon for Tehran and a US official saying it would allow Iran to sell oil once signed.
Oil prices eased, extending the previous session’s declines as investors assessed the US-Iran peace deal.
Market breadth remained strong, with 137 stocks advancing against 85 decliners in the Nikkei.