-- Optimism over a potential U.S.-Iran ceasefire and solid corporate earnings on Wall Street lifted Japanese stocks at Thursday's opening.
The Nikkei 225 climbed by 345.6 points or 0.6% to open at 58,479.83.
The U.S. and Iran are discussing a two-week truce extension to allow further peace negotiations, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, easing fears of renewed fighting even as tensions remain high over the Strait of Hormuz.
Separately, IMF Mission Chief for Japan Rahul Anand told Reuters that the Bank of Japan can look past Middle East war‑related inflation, since broader second‑round price effects are likely limited.
Anand's comments come as conflict‑driven oil price surges add to inflationary pressures, keeping alive market expectations for a near‑term BOJ interest rate hike.