Tokyo Nikkei 225 closes up 0.58% at 36,442 points (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Tokyo , 14 Aug - Japanese shares erased earlier losses and closed higher in choppy trade, extending a recent rebound amid mixed Asian markets.

The Nikkei closed up 0.58% at 36,442 points.

Investors awaited gross domestic product data for the second quarter due tomorrow, after the Japanese economy shrank much more than expected in the first quarter.

On the political front, Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida said he will not seek re-election as head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) next month - effectively meaning the end of his premiership when the party elects a new leader - after three years marred by political scandals.

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(RADIOCOR) 14-08-24 08:45:23 (0172) 5 NNNN