(Updates with closing levels, adds analyst comment in 5th
paragraph.)
By Rocky Swift
TOKYO, June 30 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average
climbed on Tuesday, powered by a rebound in technology stocks
that have helped drive the gauge's record quarterly gains.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 advanced 0.86% to close at
70,062.32. For the April-June quarter, the index soared 37%,
marking its sharpest quarterly advance in data going back to
1965. The broader Topix rose 0.73% to 4,010.88.
The Nikkei's gains came as U.S. stocks rallied overnight,
with the Nasdaq jumping 2.04% on a rebound in major tech-related
shares and easing geopolitical concerns after the U.S. and Iran
agreed to resume talks. Japan's May industrial output, released
earlier on Tuesday, rose 0.5% month-on-month, undershooting
forecasts but signaling resilience in manufacturing.
The Nikkei was in the red for part of the session, and
breadth at the close was mixed, with 104 advancers against 121
decliners.
"While we are seeing a rebound today, centered on certain
semiconductor-related stocks and AI-related stocks that had been
experiencing notable recent declines, the overall market remains
weak," said Maki Sawada, an equities strategist at Nomura
Securities.
The largest percentage gainers in the index were Taiyo Yuden ( TYOYF )
, up 8.28%; Furukawa Electric ( FUWAF ), up 7.04%; and
Screen Holdings ( DINRF ), up 6.20% to a record high.
The largest losers were NEC, down 3.01%; Nitori
Holdings ( NCLTF ), down 2.74%; and Konica Minolta ( KNCAF ),
down 2.31%.