Tokyo: Japanese stocks hit record highs Wednesday, with the Nikkei index surpassing 54,000 points for the first time, fueled by speculation that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi may soon call for a snap general election. The Nikkei stock index, which comprises 225 shares, rose 864.76 points, or 1.61 percent, from Tuesday to close at 54,413.92.

According to Qatar News Agency, the broader Topix index also climbed 31.40 points, or 0.87 percent, to 3,630.29.