Japanese shares edged up to new two-month peaks on Tuesday, supported by hopes of a breakthrough in U.S.-China trade talks, with investors snatching up defensive shares amid lingering worries about the global economic slowdown.

While markets were without firm directional cues as U.S. markets shut on Monday for a public holiday, sentiment remained broadly positive with investors looking for more clues from trade negotiations between Washington and Beijing.

Japan's Nikkei share average added as much as 0.2 percent to 21,326.11, its highest since mid-December, then ended the morning session, up 0.1 percent on the day.

The broader Topix edged up 0.2 percent to 1,604.54, which was also the highest in two months

Source : Reuters