(RTTNews) - The Japanese market ended Tuesday's trading session in positive territory with the major averages rising to a fresh 7-month high on increasing optimism about sustaining global economic recovery, as geopolitical tensions in the Korean peninsula eased and the economic conditions in Europe show signs of easing. However, volumes were relatively much lesser as most of the traders stayed away from the markets ahead of the Christmas holidays and the ensuing New Year celebrations. The benchmark Nikkei 225 Index ended 154.12 points, or 1.51% higher at 10,371, while the broader Topix index of all First Section issues rose 7.66 points, or 0.85%, to 906. On the economic front, Bank of Japan kept its monetary policy stance unchanged as it gauged the impact of its various stimulus support measures. Members of the Bank of Japan's policy board voted unanimously to maintain the overnight call rate unchanged at 0-0.1% as expected and broadly maintained their economic assessment. The central bank also kept the size of its asset purchase program unchanged at 35 trillion yen and restated its commitment to continue buying assets and providing liquidity. "The bank will continue to consistently make contributions as the central bank through the three-pronged approach of pursuing powerful monetary easing consisting of comprehensive monetary easing, ensuring financial market stability, and providing support to strengthen the foundations for economic growth," the BOJ said. A report released by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry revealed that Japanese all industry activity fell for the third straight month as expected in October. The index was down 0.2% month-on-month, exactly in line with analyst expectations, following 0.8% drop in September. The report further noted that Industrial production fell 2% in October after a 1.6% decline in the prior month, while government services were down 0.2%. These were partly offset by a 0.5% increase each in services and construction. Light sweet crude oil futures for January delivery was trading at $89.46 a barrel in electronic trading, up $0.09 per barrel from previous close at $89.37 a barrel in New York on Monday. Stocks pertaining to the glass and ceramics sector led the gains. Nippon Electric Glass Co. gained 2.27%, Asahi Glass Co., climbed 2.68%. NGK Insulators rose 1.60%, Tokai Carbon Co. surged up 3.45% and TOTO Ltd was higher by 2.22%. Precision machinery related stocks also ended in positive territory. Terumo Corp. rose 2.63%, Nikon Corp., surged up 2.77%, Olympus Corp. advanced 1.75%, Konica Minolta Holdings surged up 2.99% and Citizen Holdings added 1.43%.

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