TOKYO, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks continued the upward trend on Wednesday, driven by gains in U.S. tech stocks and strong demand for semiconductor shares like Tokyo Electron, Advantest, and Lasertec.
The benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, closed at 38,942.07, up 151.51 points, or 0.39 percent, from the previous trading day.
Investor optimism was buoyed by easing Middle East tensions and declining U.S. long-term interest rates, reinforcing expectations for a Fed rate cut.
While some profit-taking emerged near the psychological threshold of 39,000, market sentiment remained firm.
The broader TOPIX also gained, closing up 0.03 percent to end the day at 2,782.24.
On the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, advancers numbered 738, while 820 stocks declined and 69 were unchanged. ■
