TOKYO: Japanese shares closed higher on Wednesday as optimism that US lawmakers could reach an agreement on a pre-election stimulus package lifted riskier assets globally.

The benchmark Nikkei share average settled 0.31% higher at 23,639.46, erasing some of Tuesday’s losses with 188 advancers on the index against 35 decliners. The broader Topix gained 0.73% to 1,637.60.

All but two of the 33 sector sub-indexes on the Tokyo exchange finished higher. Cyclical iron and steel, miners and shippers were the three top performers on the main bourse.

Among the gainers in Japan, Shimachu soared by 14.54%, shy of its daily limit, after furniture retailer Nitori Holdings said it may bid for the home improvement retailer, threatening a tender offer by DCM Holdings. Nitori and DCM were down 1.63% and 6.81%, respectively.

Shares of ANA Holdings ended 1.73% higher, despite reports that the coronavirus-battered airline operator was expected to post a net loss of 530 billion yen ($5 billion) for the fiscal year ending in March 2021. ANA said after market hours that the forecast was undecided. Takara Bio Inc jumped 5.42% after the biotechnology company lifted its net profit forecast for the six months ended Sept. 30. Nojima Corp gained 7.31% after upgrading its net profit outlook for the fiscal year ending in March 2021.

The Mothers Index of start-up firm shares reversed course to close 0.48% lower.