Japan's Nikkei rises for 2nd day as tech shares rally before key results

Tech-industry suppliers and chipmakers led gains on the Nikkei, which had 135 advancers against 89 decliners.

The largest gainers in the index were Mitsui Kinzoku (5706.T), up 12.02%, followed by Taiyo Yuden (6976.T), 10.39% higher, and Kioxia Holdings (285A.T), which gained 10.38%.

The biggest losers were online retailer Mercari (4385.T), down 5.54%, followed by Tokyo Disneyland operator Oriental Land (4661.T), 4.94% lower, and Recruit Holdings (6098.T), which lost 4.88%.

TOKYO, July 22 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average climbed for a second straight session on Wednesday as stronger semiconductor stocks lifted sentiment before closely watched technology sector earnings.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 (.N225) advanced 1.75% to 67,388.70. The broader Topix (.TOPX) rose 1.19% to 4,062.66.

A sharp recovery in U.S. semiconductor shares lifted global risk appetite, with the Philadelphia semiconductor index (.SOX) jumping 5.2% overnight as investors looked past Middle East tensions and new U.S. tariffs.

Investors are awaiting results from key tech firms to see how they are handling rising costs, while taking cues from South Korea's tech-heavy Kospi gauge (.KS11), said Nomura Securities strategist Maki Sawada.

"If these earnings trends prove favourable, they could well serve to dispel such concerns and act as a catalyst for a rise in share prices," Sawada said.

"We are seeing a trend in the South Korean market where semiconductor-related stocks are driving a significant rise in the benchmark index. I believe this sentiment is also being reflected in Japan."

Data released on Wednesday showed Japan's exports rose 19.3% year-on-year in June, beating forecasts, while imports climbed 25.4%, underscoring resilient demand and supporting the outlook for corporate earnings.