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Japanese Shares Open Higher for Third Day

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Japanese equities opened higher for a third straight session on Wednesday, buoyed by a rally in semiconductor stocks and U.S. economic data showing stable job openings and improved consumer confidence.

The Nikkei 225 gained 712 points or 1% to open at 70,774.28.

Brent crude steadied just above $73 a barrel, as markets weighed expectations that a U.S.-Iran ceasefire would hold.

Elsewhere, Qatar confirmed the arrival of U.S. envoys in Doha for peace talks aimed at easing tensions over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, according to various media reports.

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