<p>Japanese shares inched up on Thursday to come within sight of a near three-decade high, as vaccine rollouts buoyed hopes of economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and heavy machinery stocks gained on a policy shift to greener energy.</p>.<p>Japan's Nikkei share average rose 0.54% to 26,668.35, edging closer to Monday's high of 26,905, its highest level since early 1991. The broader Topix gained 0.51% to 1,774.27.</p>.<p>Rollouts of Covid-19 vaccines are propping up hopes that the economic recovery can gain momentum next year, despite the headwinds from a recently-found more infectious strain and a delay in U.S. pandemic relief package.</p>.<p>The Nikkei is likely to be stable between 26,000 and 27,000 for the time being, said Yutaka Miura, senior technical strategist at Mizuho Securities.</p>.<p>"But if the dollar falls considerably below 103 yen, we could see selling in Japanese shares," he added.</p>.<p>Aeon rose 3.5% to a record high after the retailer revised its earnings outlook higher for the year to February, as consumer confidence picked up after a coronavirus-induced slump.</p>.<p>Heavy machinery firms gained after the Nikkei newspaper reported Japan's new zero-emission strategy would target a massive increase in offshore wind power.</p>.<p>IHI rose 5.9% and Kawasaki Heavy gained 3.4%.</p>.<p>The positive mood also saw retail investors flocking to recently-listed shares, with WealthNavi gaining 21%.</p>.<p>On the other hand, Hino Motors tumbled 12.4% after the truck maker said it would suspend production at two factories in North America until next September due to problems in U.S. engine certification testing process.</p>.<p>SoftBank Group dropped 1.7% after China launched an investigation into Alibaba Group for suspected monopolistic behaviour and will summon its Ant Group to meet in coming days.</p>.<p>SoftBank Group is the biggest shareholder of the Chinese e-commerce giant.</p>
<p>Japanese shares inched up on Thursday to come within sight of a near three-decade high, as vaccine rollouts buoyed hopes of economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and heavy machinery stocks gained on a policy shift to greener energy.</p>.<p>Japan's Nikkei share average rose 0.54% to 26,668.35, edging closer to Monday's high of 26,905, its highest level since early 1991. The broader Topix gained 0.51% to 1,774.27.</p>.<p>Rollouts of Covid-19 vaccines are propping up hopes that the economic recovery can gain momentum next year, despite the headwinds from a recently-found more infectious strain and a delay in U.S. pandemic relief package.</p>.<p>The Nikkei is likely to be stable between 26,000 and 27,000 for the time being, said Yutaka Miura, senior technical strategist at Mizuho Securities.</p>.<p>"But if the dollar falls considerably below 103 yen, we could see selling in Japanese shares," he added.</p>.<p>Aeon rose 3.5% to a record high after the retailer revised its earnings outlook higher for the year to February, as consumer confidence picked up after a coronavirus-induced slump.</p>.<p>Heavy machinery firms gained after the Nikkei newspaper reported Japan's new zero-emission strategy would target a massive increase in offshore wind power.</p>.<p>IHI rose 5.9% and Kawasaki Heavy gained 3.4%.</p>.<p>The positive mood also saw retail investors flocking to recently-listed shares, with WealthNavi gaining 21%.</p>.<p>On the other hand, Hino Motors tumbled 12.4% after the truck maker said it would suspend production at two factories in North America until next September due to problems in U.S. engine certification testing process.</p>.<p>SoftBank Group dropped 1.7% after China launched an investigation into Alibaba Group for suspected monopolistic behaviour and will summon its Ant Group to meet in coming days.</p>.<p>SoftBank Group is the biggest shareholder of the Chinese e-commerce giant.</p>