Nikkei Index rises 0.7%, led by gains in automotive and machinery stocks

Nikkei Index rose by 0.7% to 58,894.90 points. Automotive and machinery stocks led the gains. Honda Motor was up 2.6%, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries rose 3.3%. Investors are closely monitoring developments in the Middle East, and Vice President JD Vance is expected to lead a new round of peace talks with Iran in Pakistan this week. Iran has not publicly confirmed the talks. The US dollar was quoted at 159.17 yen, compared to 159.49 yen at the close of the Tokyo stock market last Friday.