Japan stocks were higher after the close on Wednesday, as gains in the Shipbuilding, Paper & Pulp and Non-Metal Minerals sectors led shares higher.

At the close in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 gained 0.47%.

The best performers of the session on the Nikkei 225 were M3 Inc (TYO:2413), which rose 19.27% or 268.00 points to trade at 1,659.00 at the close. Meanwhile, Fujikura Ltd. (TYO:5803) added 10.35% or 691.00 points to end at 7,366.00 and Taiheiyo Cement Corp. (TYO:5233) was up 9.89% or 381.00 points to 4,235.00 in late trade.

The worst performers of the session were Kuraray Co., Ltd. (TYO:3405), which fell 14.95% or 328.00 points to trade at 1,865.50 at the close. Toray Industries, Inc. (TYO:3402) declined 12.11% or 129.80 points to end at 941.70 and SUMCO Corp. (TYO:3436) was down 7.28% or 90.00 points to 1,147.00.

Rising stocks outnumbered declining ones on the Tokyo Stock Exchange by 2083 to 1552 and 237 ended unchanged.

Shares in Fujikura Ltd. (TYO:5803) rose to all time highs; rising 10.35% or 691.00 to 7,366.00. Shares in Taiheiyo Cement Corp. (TYO:5233) rose to 5-year highs; rising 9.89% or 381.00 to 4,235.00.

The Nikkei Volatility, which measures the implied volatility of Nikkei 225 options, was up 0.28% to 21.75.

Crude oil for March delivery was down 0.34% or 0.25 to $73.07 a barrel. Elsewhere in commodities trading, Brent oil for delivery in April fell 0.31% or 0.24 to hit $76.76 a barrel, while the April Gold Futures contract fell 0.45% or 13.09 to trade at $2,919.51 a troy ounce.

Source: Investing.com