Group 1 - Japan's Nikkei Stock Average closed 1.3% higher at a record 52518.08, indicating strong market performance [1] - Bank and brokerage shares led gains, reflecting continued hopes for gradual rate increases from the Bank of Japan [1] - Stock gains are broadening beyond semiconductor shares to include metals and machinery producers [1] Group 2 - Mizuho Financial Group gained 5.1% and Daiwa Securities Group rose 5.9%, showing significant increases in the financial sector [2] - Sumitomo Metal Mining climbed 6.3% and Hitachi Ltd. added 7.4%, indicating strong performance in the materials and machinery sectors [2] - The 10-year Japanese government bond yield rose 1.5 basis points to 2.130%, marking its highest level since February 1999 [2]