Tokyo's Nikkei extends winning streak to 8th day

Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei index extended its winning streak to an eighth consecutive session on Wednesday as a weak yen and higher Chinese stocks buoyed investor sentiment.

The bellwether Nikkei 225 rose 0.39% to 24 033.79, closing above 24 000 for the first time in eight months. The broader Topix index inched down 0.04% to 1 821.67.

"The market got support from the yen's drop and higher Chinese stocks," Okasan Online Securities chief strategist Yoshihiro Ito said in a note.

A weak yen is positive for Japanese exporters as it makes their products more competitive in overseas markets and also inflates profits when repatriated.

Shanghai and Hong Kong stocks were both higher on Wednesday, offering relief to investors amid the US-China trade row.

The dollar held firm, trading at ¥112.89 against ¥112.96 in New York on Tuesday afternoon and little moved by US-Japan ministerial-level talks on trade.

After an hour of talks in New York, Japan's chief negotiator Toshimitsu Motegi said Tokyo and Washington "basically shared the view on a framework and steps for boosting bilateral trade", according to Jiji Press.

Investors were now waiting for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's meeting with US President Donald Trump later on Wednesday.

In Tokyo stocks trade, heavyweight issues helped shore up the Nikkei.

IT investor SoftBank Group rose 1.28% to ¥11 065 and Uniqlo clothing chain operator Fast Retailing climbed 1.62% to ¥56 280.