Japanese stocks traded higher, supported by easing concerns over the Federal Reserve’s potential rate increases and a stronger overnight performance in U.S. technology shares. Chip and broader electronics names led the advance, with Advantest up 6.2%, Kioxia Holdings up 6.0%, and Murata Manufacturing rising 6.2%. The Nikkei Stock Average gained 1.8% to 68745.28. In currency markets, the dollar stood at 159.33 yen versus Y159.40 at Wednesday’s Tokyo stock market close. Investors were also watching developments in the Iran conflict and movements in crude oil prices for broader market direction.