(Adds comments, updates with closing prices)

By Junko Fujita

TOKYO, April 15 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average

closed at a more than one-month high on Wednesday, as prospects

of a new round of peace talks between the United States and Iran

lifted investor sentiment and sent crude oil prices lower.

The Nikkei climbed 0.44% to finish the session at

58,134.24, the highest since its record close on February 27 and

nearly recouping all losses since the start of the U.S.-Iran war

the following day. The Nikkei rose as much as 1.2% earlier in

the session. The broader Topix rose 0.4% to 3,770.33.

"Investors started selling stocks to book profits as the

Nikkei approached a record high," said Naoki Fujiwara, a senior

fund manager at Shinkin Asset Management.

"There are still uncertainties about the fate of the Middle

East war. It is hard to imagine the Nikkei will post a new

record high anytime soon."

Talks to end the Iran war could resume in Pakistan over the

next two days, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday,

after the collapse of weekend negotiations prompted Washington

to impose a blockade on Iranian ports.

The Nasdaq climbed 2% overnight, while the S&P 500 finished

up 1%. Oil prices fell for a second day on Wednesday.

In Japan, AI-technology investor SoftBank Group

rose 4.76%. Chip-testing equipment maker Advantest ( ADTTF ) rose

2.17%. Chip-making equipment maker Tokyo Electron ( TOELF )

reversed course to end 0.46% lower.

Uniqlo-brand owner Fast Retailing ( FRCOF ) fell 0.38%.

Memory maker Kioxia ( KXHCF ) fell 7.2% after hitting a

record high in the previous session. The stock has risen 70% so

far this month.

Of the more than 1,600 stocks trading on the Tokyo Stock

Exchange's prime market, 64% rose, 32% fell, and 2% traded

flat.