BANGKOK (AP) — Asian markets advanced on Tuesday, with Japan’s benchmark approaching the symbolically important 50,000 level for the first time as conservative lawmaker Sanae Takaichi was poised to become the country’s first female prime minister.

The Nikkei 225 in Tokyo was up 0.8% at 49,595.72 as Japanese lawmakers prepared to elect Takaichi. She is expected to support market-friendly policies such as low interest rates and more government spending although her coalition government barely has a majority in the parliament.

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