TOKYO, April 8 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average

surged more than 4% on Wednesday as signs of a ceasefire in the

Middle East crisis drove crude oil prices sharply lower and

eased concerns of an economic slowdown.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Index jumped 4.67% to

55,923.27, while the broader Topix climbed 3% to

3,763.51.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he had agreed to

a two-week ceasefire with Iran, less than two hours before a

deadline he had set for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Japan's economy is particularly vulnerable to rises in crude

oil prices because of its heavy reliance on imported energy.

U.S. crude futures fell about 16.5% to $94 a barrel.

There were 212 advancers on the Nikkei against 10 decliners.

The largest percentage gainers were Furukawa Electric ( FUWAF ),

up 12.4%, followed by Advantest Corp ( ADTTF ), gaining 9.3% and

Resonac Holdings ( SHWDF ), which added 9.3%.

The largest losers were Inpex ( IPXHF ), down 7.4%, followed

by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines ( MSLOF ), 4.1% lower, and Kawasaki Kisen

Kaisha ( KAKKF ), which sank 2.8%.