TOKYO, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Japan's key stock index continued its upward trend on Wednesday as the market was supported by gains in heavyweights such as Fast Retailing and Softbank Group (SBG), following an increase in the U.S. stock market.
The benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, closed at 38,963.70, up 162.53 points, or 0.42 percent from the previous day.
However, concerns over U.S. tariff hikes weighed on investor sentiment, leading to a temporary decline in the Nikkei 225 during the afternoon session.
In the U.S. stock market on the previous day, strong earnings from companies like Coca-Cola lifted the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The momentum carried over to the Tokyo market, where selective buying was active, and the SBG surged further in the afternoon ahead of its earnings announcement.
The Tokyo Stock Price Index also rose, closing at 2,733.33, up 0.32 points.
On the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, the number of advancing stocks was 851, while 743 declined and 46 remained unchanged. ■
