Japan's Nikkei surges past 58,000 for first time as Takaichi trade rally continues

By Rocky Swift

TOKYO, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average surged past the 58,000 mark for the first time, continuing a scorching rally since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi won a resounding electoral victory on a campaign of increased economic stimulus.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Index .N225 rose 0.14% to 57,739.20 in early trading after earlier touching an intraday peak of 58,004.72. The broader Topix .TOPX climbed 0.3% to 3,866.88. So far the Nikkei is up 14.5% for the year.

There were 145 advancers on the Nikkei index against 79 decliners.