Japan's Stocks close at 2-week high on receding US rate worries

The Nikkei index closed at a nearly two-week high Tuesday as investor sentiment was lifted by overnight gains on Wall Street on receding concerns over an early interest rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 242.56 points, or 1.25 percent, from Monday at 19,640.54, the highest close since March 25, according to Japan's (Kyodo) News Agency.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished 17.84 points, or 1.14 percent, higher at 1,578.55.
Major gainers included iron and steel, mining and energy issues.