Nikkei tops 18,000, first time in nearly 7 years

TOKYO, Feb 22 (Reuters) The Nikkei average rose 1.07 percent to top 18,000 for the first time in nearly seven years on Thursday with exporters such as Advantest Corp. rising on a soft yen after the central bank raised interest rates but said further increases would be gradual.

The Nikkei was up 191.09 points at 18,104.30, its highest since May 2000. On Wednesday the technology-laced benchmark shed 0.14 percent to 17,913.21.

The broader TOPIX index rose 0.95 percent to 1,804.29 after hitting its highest since November 1991.

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