Japanese market ended higher on Wednesday as weaker yen boosted export-related shares. Market sentiments improved further by Wall Street’s gains overnight as focus shifted to US mega-cap tech company earnings including Facebook owner Meta Platforms, Microsoft and Tesla, as well as the US Federal Reserve's first interest rate decision in 2025 due later in the day. Meanwhile most of the Asian regional markets including China, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea closed for Lunar New Year holidays.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 397.91 points or 1.01% to settle at 39,414.78.