"There are expectations that the ECB's bond-purchasing plan will ease debt crisis tensions, bolstering markets"
- Kiyoshi Ishigane, a strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co.
Japanese stocks extended gains on Tuesday amid optimism the European Central Bank will resume bond purchases.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased by 0.88 per cent, or 77.02 points, to 8,803.31. The broader Topix Index rose 1.08 per cent, or 7.97, to 743.70.
"There are expectations that the ECB's bond-purchasing plan will ease debt crisis tensions, bolstering markets," said Kiyoshi Ishigane, a Tokyo-based strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co.
"Earnings are just so-so on the whole. Some technology companies have been hurt by the stronger yen but I don't have an impression that their earnings are very bad."
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