Japan's Nikkei Stock Average closed 1.3% higher at a record 52518.08.Bank and brokerage shares led gains amid continued hopes for gradual rate increases from the Bank of Japan. Stock gains that centered around semiconductor shares last year are also broadening to metals and machinery producers.Mizuho Financial Group gained 5.1% and Daiwa Securities Group rose 5.9% while Sumitomo Metal Mining climbed 6.3% and Hitachi Ltd. added 7.4%. The 10-year Japanese government bond yield rose 1.5 basis points to 2.130%, ...