Japanese stocks extended gains as chip stocks advanced ahead of Nvidia's results, with investors remaining optimistic about the future of artificial intelligence investment.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 closed up 405.73 points, or 0.62%, at 66,262.16.
Oil prices eased amid reports of positive US-Iran backchannel talks and Iran's announcement of talks with Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, easing Middle East tensions and raising hopes of restoring energy supply through the key sea route.
On the corporate side, SoftBank (TYO:9434) is in talks with investment banks over a potential $10 billion to $20 billion bond offering to refinance a loan tied to its investment in US-based OpenAI, according to a Wednesday report.
Also, S&P Global Ratings assigned an A- long-term issue credit rating to Japan-based NEC's (TYO:6701) U.S. dollar senior unsecured bonds, according to a Wednesday release.