By Rocky Swift

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan’s Nikkei share average climbed past 44,000 for the first time on Tuesday as optimism over trade and potential increases in stimulus spending spread through the market.

The Nikkei 225 Index jumped 0.9% to 44,018.78 in early trading, set for a record high. The broader Topix was up 0.4%.

U.S. tariffs on Japanese autos are set to be lowered by September 16, Japan’s chief tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa said in an X post on Tuesday, clearing up ambiguity over a trade deal in July.

Shares continued strong gains from Monday following a resignation announcement from fiscal hawk Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Sanae Takaichi, a proponent of government stimulus and monetary easing, has decided to run in the Liberal Democratic Party’s leadership race, Kyodo n

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