TOKYO, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index briefly climbed above the 45,000 mark for the first time in history soon after the open on Tuesday.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose as high as 45,055.38 during early trading on Tuesday, the first trading day of the week.
Japanese markets were closed on Monday for a public holiday.
The benchmark rose steadily last week, hitting all-time highs three times. ■
