Japan's Nikkei Stock Average rose for a fifth straight session on Aug. 17, gaining 506.45 points, or 0.74%, to close at 69,220.25 and finish above 69,000 for the first time since July 6. The advance was driven by buying tied to solid corporate earnings and strength in AI and semiconductor-related shares, which carry heavy weight in the index. The benchmark briefly turned negative after early gains as investors took profits, but dip-buying resurfaced, helped by gains in South Korea's KOSPI, and the market stayed firm through the afternoon. In contrast, the Topix fell 13.09 points, or 0.31%, to 4,184.11, ending an eight-session winning streak. Market breadth was weak on the TSE Prime Market, where decliners outnumbered advancers 890 to 627 despite the Nikkei's gain. Trading volume reached 2.09 billion shares and turnover totaled ¥8.95 trillion, or about $56.3 billion. Investors also weighed softer U.S. consumption data and rising long-term interest rates, while expectations for strong domestic earnings continued to support sentiment.