Japanese share prices edged up on Wednesday after a news report that U.S. trade negotiators will meet Chinese counterparts in Shanghai next week prompted investors to buy back cyclical shares such as carmakers, shippers and machinery makers.

The Nikkei share average rose 0.5% to 21,728.87 while the broader Topix gained 0.37% to 1,574.55.

Bloomberg reported that U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and senior U.S. officials will travel to Shanghai on Monday for talks with Chinese officials.

Shippers rose 1.6%, with Nippon Yusen KK rising 1.9% while transport equipment makers rose 1.1%.

Toyota Motor rose 1.3% while Honda Motor gained 1.1%.

Source : Reuters