Tokyo: Japan's Nikkei index rose for a third consecutive session, recording its highest-ever closing level on Wednesday, supported by heavyweight technology stocks, despite the impact of uncertainty surrounding peace talks between the US and Iran on investor sentiment. The Nikkei closed up 0.4 percent at 59,585.86 points, in a volatile session after having fallen by about 0.6 percent during trading.

According to Qatar News Agency, the broader Topix index declined by 0.7 percent to 3,744.99 points. SoftBank shares jumped 8.5 percent, while shares of chip-testing equipment maker Advantest rose 2.6 percent, contributing about 353 and 169 points respectively to support the Nikkei performance. A total of 41 stocks within the index advanced, compared with 182 that declined.