The Nikkei average closed up 0.30 percent at a record high of 45,630.31, reversing early losses. The broader Topix index edged up by 0.23 percent to 3,170.45.

Industrial manufacturer IHI soared 9.7 percent and tech investor SoftBank Group surged 6 percent while utility Tokyo Electric Power gave up 4.9 percent.

Investors shrugged off data that showed Japanese manufacturing activity shrank more than expected in September to hit a six-month low.

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