TOKYO, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average

surpassed ​the 59,000 mark ‌for the first ⁠time on Thursday,

breaking a ⁠record set ‌in ‌the previous session, over ​waning

expectations of ‌an imminent Bank of Japan ​rate hike ​and ‌robust

results from chipmaker Nvidia ( NVDA ).

The benchmark Nikkei ⁠225 Index rose ⁠1.2% to

59,295.93 in early trading. The broader Topix ⁠climbed

1.2% ‌to 3,890.08. ‌So far, the ⁠Nikkei is up 16.4% for the year.

There were 126 advances on the ​Nikkei index against 43

decliners.