Tokyo Nikkei 225 up 1.96% at 41,580 points (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Tokyo , 09 Jul - Japanese shares closed sharply higher, resuming a recent rally after yesterday's muted session and trading the gains amid strong Asian markets.

The Nikkei index closed up 1.96% at 41,580 points, climbing to new record highs.

In Tokyo stock market drains semiconductor shares led the gains as they tracked their US peers higher amid a continued hype over artificial intelligence.

Japanese stocks rallied last week as recent data pointing to a weaker economy seemed to ease pressure on the Bank of Japan to increase interest rates, helping support sentiment.

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(RADIOCOR) 09-07-24 09:03:58 (0176) 5 NNNN