Summary The Topix index of all first-section shares climbed 0.60 percent, or 8.84 points, to 1,491.51.
TOKYO (AFP) - Tokyo s Nikkei 225 was marching toward a 15-year closing high on Thursday, after relatively upbeat Japanese trade data and cautious optimism over a solution to the Greek debt standoff.
The benchmark index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange rose 0.46 percent, or 84.56 points, to 18,283.73 by the break. The Nikkei last closed above 18,200 in May 2000.
The Topix index of all first-section shares climbed 0.60 percent, or 8.84 points, to 1,491.51.
Shortly before Tokyo opened, official data showed that surging exports helped cut Japan s trade deficit by more than half in January, a day after the central pointed to a stronger export picture as it said the world s number three economy was on the mend.
In the US, minutes of the Federal Reserve s January policy meeting showed board members remain cautious about lifting rates too soon, despite a healthy recovery in the world s number one economy.
While markets still see the central bank raising rates around the middle of the year, the latest news dampened expectations that it will come sooner than later.
"If the Fed delays rate hikes beyond September while the US economy s not doing badly, it ll be a boost for stock markets around the world," said Mitsushige Akino, an executive officer at Ichiyoshi Asset Management.
"The general consensus that the rate hikes will be between June and September hasn t changed."
Investors are also keeping a close eye on Greece, which is due to make a formal request for a loan extension from eurozone finance ministers Thursday.
Athens was expected to send a letter to Jeroen Dijsselbloem, head of the Eurogroup of EU finance ministers, to request an extension of up to six months on its European loan agreement that would sidestep the duties of a full-blown bailout, but avoid a default and Greek exit from the eurozone.
In Tokyo share trading, banks led the rise with Mitsubishi UFJ, the country s biggest lender, jumping 2.48 percent to 7,617.0 yen, while rival Mizuho Financial Group was up 2.71 percent at 216.3 yen.
Sony climbed 2.74 percent to 3,261.5 yen after it forecast a jump in operating profit.
"We re seeing a massive catch-up rally by the megabanks this month, which is powering the Nikkei 225 to a 15-year high," David Welch, head of equity sales trading at Reorient Group, told Bloomberg News.
On currency markets, the dollar was at 118.60 yen, against 118.76 yen in New York.
Wall Street recovered from early losses in reaction to the Fed minutes and ended broadly flat. The Dow dipped 0.10 percent, the S&P 500 eased 0.03 percent from a record high and the Nasdaq added 0.14 percent.
