Nikkei hits 15-month closing high

Japan8217;s Nikkei average hit a 15-month closing high on Tuesday after solid US manufacturing data boosted investor confidence in the economy,lifting shares of exporters such as Canon Inc.

But the market generally ran out of steam hurt by a slightly stronger yen and as Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group trimmed earlier gains on news it plans 8.7 billion share sale.

The benchmark Nikkei .N225 inched up 0.3 per cent to 10,681.83,its highest close since October 3 2008,after rising as high as 10,791.04 at one stage.

The broader Topix rose 0.4 per cent to 919.57.