Nikkei up 2 pct to 2-mth high; techs, exporters gain

Published: 07 Jan 2009 01:34:51 PST

TOKYO, Jan 7 - Japan's Nikkei share average climbed 2 percent on Wednesday, touching a two-month high as tech shares such as Kyocera Corp powered up on hopes for a U.S. economic stimulus package, while exporters rose on a weaker yen. The Nikkei business daily reported that Japan's government will seek to scrap capital gains taxes for foreigners investing in Japanese companies through funds, which market players said could be having some impact.

The benchmark Nikkei gained 182.31 points to 9,263.15 after earlier rising to 9,325.35, its highest since Nov. 6. The broader Topix rose 1.7 percent to 890.69.