TOKYO, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index closed at a record high above 58,000 on Wednesday, driven by Wall Street gains overnight and the government's nomination of two new Bank of Japan (BOJ) policymakers.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average climbed 1,262.03 points, or 2.20 percent, from Tuesday to 58,583.12. The broader Topix index finished 27.18 points, or 0.71 percent, higher at 3,843.16.
Stocks surged from the outset, buoyed by heavyweight technology shares after software-related issues climbed in the U.S. market, with the Nikkei renewing an intraday record for the first time since Feb. 12.
The market climbed further in the afternoon, as speculation about further interest rate hikes by the BOJ receded after the nomination of two new BOJ policymakers, brokers said. ■
