TOKYO -- Japan's benchmark Nikkei Stock Average rose sharply Tuesday, hitting a six-month high and reaching levels not seen since the coronavirus induced sell-off, as hopes for a vaccine and treatments for COVID-19 prompted investors to buy.
The Nikkei index at one point climbed more than 400 points, or close to 2%, to reach 23,431 and hit pre-pandemic levels during the session. Shares lost momentum toward the end of the day, closing 311 points, or 1.3%, higher at 23,296.
