TOKYO, April 14 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average

rallied on Tuesday to levels not seen since the start of the war

in Iran as optimism over negotiations to end the conflict sent

oil prices lower.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Index jumped 2.43% to

57,877.39, its highest close since March 2, while the broader

Topix climbed 0.87% to 3,755.27.

The Nikkei closed at an all-time high on February 26, the

day before the U.S. and Israel began aerial bombardments of

Iran, triggering a conflict that has halted nearly all oil

shipments from the region.

Although ceasefire talks over the weekend broke down, U.S.

Vice President JD Vance said in an interview with Fox News that

progress has been made in negotiations and Washington expects

Iran to proceed with reopening the Strait of Hormuz shipping

lane.

U.S. crude fell 1.57% to $97.52 a barrel and Brent

traded at $98.83 per barrel, down 0.54% on the day.

"Of course, there is a risk that the situation could

deteriorate again, but with market sentiment somewhat calmer,

the focus will shift to corporate earnings, which are set to

pick up momentum," said Maki Sawada, an equities strategist at

Nomura Securities.

"Whether the Nikkei will return to the levels seen before

the conflict began will depend on results starting in late

April."

There were 137 advancers in the Nikkei index against 87

decliners. Semiconductor-related companies and firms in the

artificial intelligence sector, which has massive energy needs,

were the sharpest gainers.

AI investor SoftBank Group led gains in the Nikkei,

with a 12.7% surge, followed by chipmaker Kioxia ( KXHCF ), up

11.9%, and tech-sector supplier Advantest ( ADTTF ), which rose

8.5%.