Tokyo stocks surged on speculation a snap election may boost the economic stimulus policies of the ruling parties.
The Nikkei Stock Average topped 53,000 to a new intraday record in Tuesday morning trading.
The benchmark rose more than 1,800 points at one stage, or about 3.6 percent from Friday’s close.
Buy orders jumped from the opening on the view Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s policies will support Japan’s economy.
The policies are taking center stage even as Japan’s currency slid to the 158 range against the dollar. That’s the weakest in almost a year.
Analysts say the weaker yen could hurt the economy through higher prices, but the market is focusing on the potential benefits from proactive government measures to drive growth.
