Tokyo Nikkei 225 up 0.94% at 42,224 points (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Tokyo , 11 Jul - Japanese shares closed higher, extending a recent rally amid strong Asian markets.

The Nikkei index closed up 0.94% at 42,224 points, climbing to new record highs.

In Tokyo stock market dealings tech shares soared, with chipmakers tracking Taiwan's TSMC higher after stronger-than-expected second quarter revenue figures from the world's largest contract chipmaker.

In May, private sector machinery orders in Japan, excluding volatile ones for ships and from electric power companies, fell 3.2% from April when they contracted 2.9%, according to data released by the Cabinet Office.

The figures added to doubts over Japan's economic health, further easing pressure on the Bank of Japan to increase interest rates after recent data pointing to a weaker economy.

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(RADIOCOR) 11-07-24 08:41:24 (0172) 5 NNNN