Tokyo stocks extend gains as political uncertainty eases and semiconductor shares climb

Tokyo stocks rose, with the Nikkei average closing up 605.07 yen at 48,277.74 yen. Political uncertainty eased as the Liberal Democratic Party and Japan Innovation Party began policy talks, reviving the "Takaichi trade." The market was further boosted by gains in some semiconductor-related stocks. The Nikkei briefly surged by 644 yen during the session. Analysts expect manufacturing earnings and external demand to drive further gains, with semiconductor stocks like SoftBank Group and Tokyo Electron showing strength.