TOKYO, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average

climbed past 44,000 for the first time on Tuesday as optimism

over trade and potential increases in stimulus spending spread

through the market.

The Nikkei 225 Index jumped 0.9% to 44,018.78 in

early trading, set for a record high. The broader Topix

was up 0.4%.

U.S. tariffs on Japanese autos are set to be lowered by

September 16, Japan's chief tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa

said in an X post on Tuesday, clearing up ambiguity over a trade

deal in July.

Shares continued strong gains from Monday following a

resignation announcement from fiscal hawk Prime Minister Shigeru

Ishiba. Sanae Takaichi, a proponent of government stimulus and

monetary easing, has decided to run in the Liberal Democratic

Party's leadership race, Kyodo news agency reported late on

Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

There were 144 advancers on the Nikkei index against 77

decliners.

The largest percentage gainers in the gauge were Advantest ( ADTTF )

, up 6.7%, followed by Tokuyama ( TKYMF ), which gained

5%.

The largest losers in the index were Citizen Watch ( CHCLF )

down 5.8%, which is set to be removed from the Nikkei in

October, followed by Takeda Pharmaceutical ( TAK ), which slid

2.4%.