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The Nikkei share average hit a six-month closing high on Monday, buoyed by hopes for improvement in domestic corporate earnings, while casino-related plays outperformed on a media report that new casinos could be opened in Japan before the 2020 Summer Olympics.
The benchmark Nikkei gained 0.5% to 15,529.40 points, its highest closing level since Jan. 23.
Since mid-June, the index has tried a few times to rise above the 15,500 level but in vain. Still, the Nikkei is down 4.7% since the start of this year.
The broader Topix advanced 0.4% to 1,286.07 in light trade, while the JPX-Nikkei Index 400 added 0.3% to 11,710.58.
