Japan's Nikkei share average shot to a record high on Thursday as markets reopened after holidays, catching up with optimism over strong technology earnings and signs of a potential peace deal in the Middle East.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 Index rose 3.38% to an all-time high of 61,523.36 in early trading. The broader Topix climbed 2.02% to 3,803.95. By mid-morning local time, the Nikkei was up 4.1% at 61,937.78 points.
Japan's markets are also responding to a stronger yen, following bouts of suspected intervention by Tokyo to bolster the currency.
South Korea's benchmark Kospi index also opened at a fresh high after surging more than 6% on Wednesday, ending at 7,384.56. It opened 1.55% higher on Thursday.
Wall Street indexes hit record highs overnight as positive results from Advanced Micro Devices fueled euphoria over the red-hot artificial intelligence sector. Iran said it is reviewing a US proposal to end the more than two-month war, while President Donald Trump said the US has had very good talks with Tehran.