Japan's Nikkei rises more than 1% on 'Takaichi trade' optimism

By Satoshi Sugiyama

TOKYO, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average rose more than 1% in early trade on Tuesday, with investors still digesting Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's landslide victory in Sunday's general election.

The Nikkei 225 Index .N225 climbed 1.5% to 57,244.79, while the broader Topix .TOPX climbed 1.1% to 3,826.28. The Nikkei is up 12% so far this year.

The largest percentage gainers in the Nikkei index were ORIX 8591.T, up 6.3%, followed by Kyowa Kirin 4151.T, gaining 6.2%, and IHI 7013.T, up 6.1%.

Takaichi's overwhelming victory gave her a solid mandate to push through big spending and tax relief. On Monday, the prime minister renewed her pledge to suspend the 8% sales tax on food for two years.