By Rocky Swift

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan’s Nikkei share average climbed past the 50,000 level for the first time on Monday, continuing a run of successive records on expectations of sizeable spending from the nation’s new prime minister.

Crossing the key psychological threshold is the latest milestone for the blue-chip share gauge that has been red hot since fiscal dove Sanae Takaichi began her ascent to power.

The Nikkei 225 Index climbed as much as 2.4% to an intraday high of 50,491.23. The index ended the morning session up 2.1% at 50,337.36, bringing its year-to-date gains to 26%.

The broader Topix also touched an all-time high, rising nearly 1.6% to 3,321.48 by the midday close. It has gained 19.3% so far this year.

“The Nikkei’s gains were supported by expectations for the Takaichi

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