Japan's equity market closed higher on Wednesday, with the Nikkei 225 gaining 0.61% as gains in real estate, banking and textile shares offset losses in materials and shipping.
Advancing stocks exceeded declining ones by 2,129 to 1,357 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, with 270 issues unchanged. The Nikkei 225 Volatility Index, derived from Nikkei 225 options, rose 8.11% to 30.41, reflecting increased hedging demand.
The yen weakened modestly against major peers, with the USD/JPY pair down 0.08% at 159.06 and EUR/JPY falling 0.11% to 185.58. U.S. dollar index futures edged up 0.08% to 98.92.
Among the index's top performers, Mitsubishi Materials Corp. surged 5.95% to 5,963 yen, while Tokyo Electric Power Co. added 3.96% to 538.30 yen. Advantest Corp. led the advance with a 3.63% gain to 35,700 yen in late trade.
The worst performers included SUMCO Corp., which fell 3.90% to 3,405 yen, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, down 3.36% to 3,306 yen. Nippon Yusen K.K. declined 2.48% to 6,964 yen.
Energy markets retreated, with October crude oil futures down 2.31% at $80.46 per barrel and November Brent crude falling 1.88% to $85.63. December gold futures eased 0.06% to $4,691.75 per troy ounce.
