Japan's Nikkei rises as chip shares gain, BOJ's rate hike prospects weigh

Japan's Nikkei rose 0.47% to 66,424.44 by midday, supported by chip-related shares after Alphabet raised its capital expenditure outlook to about 195-205 billion dollars. Gains were capped by prospects of an early Bank of Japan rate hike, which lifted bank stocks but hurt domestic demand retailers. Advantest jumped 4.31%, while Mizuho Financial Group rose 2.9% as the top Nikkei gainer.