The Japanese Nikkei index closed higher for the fourth consecutive session, on Tuesday, amid optimism about the growth of investments in the semiconductor industry in the country.
Advantest Corp jumped 2.38%, bringing its gains over the past four days to 29%, on expectations that the chip-testing equipment maker will lead an artificial intelligence boom with client Nvidia Corp.
Japan Airlines shares fell 0.71 percent, which led to a decline in shares of air carriers, after the rise in oil prices.
The Nikkei index reversed early losses to close 0.3 percent higher at 31,328.16 points. Yesterday, Monday, the index touched 31,560.43 points, a level it has not reached since July of 1990.
As for the broader Topix index, it fell 0.07 percent to 2,159.22 points.
The losers outnumbered the gainers on the Nikkei index, whose blue-chip stocks outperformed the market in general amid hot money flows from abroad.
Among the 33 indices representing various industries on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the sub-index for the iron and steel industry was the biggest gainer, up 1.45 percent, while the sub-index for insurance companies was the biggest loser, down 1.37 percent.
