Tokyo Nikkei 225 up 1.57% at 38,835 points (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Tokyo , 07 May - Japanese shares closed sharply higher amid strong Asian markets, rallying in catch-up trade as the markets reopened in Tokyo after a long weekend.

Investor sentiment in the region was boosted by renewed bets that the Federal Reserve would slash rates this year, following a softer than expected US nonfarm payrolls report.

In Tokyo stock market dealings technology shares led the gains.

The Nikkei index closed up 1.57% at 38,835 points.

The benchmark index slid nearly 5% in April, the worst performer in the region, as investors took profits after gains in the previous months and as uncertainty over the Bank of Japan's policies weighed on sentiment.

AAA-Ver

(RADIOCOR) 07-05-24 08:38:04 (0205) 5 NNNN