Japan's Nikkei Index recovers to 40,000 level in 2 months

The Nikkei Index, the leading stock index of the Japanese stock market, recovered to the 40,000 level during the day for the first time in two months.

The Nikkei was 39,949 as of 11 a.m. today, up 1.47% from the previous trading day's close.During

, it rose to 40,091 at one point.

It is the first time in nearly two months that the Nikkei has crossed the 40,000 mark since Oct. 15.

Kyodo News said that the U.S. stock market's Nasdaq Composite topped 20,000 the previous day, attracting buying in semiconductor-related stocks, and the weak yen also played a positive role in export stocks.