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

The Nikkei 225 in Tokyo gave up earlier, bigger gains after Takaichi prevailed in a vote in Japan's parliament, rising just 0.3% to 49,316.06. She is expected to support market-friendly policies such as low interest rates and more government spending.

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