updated 12/26/2012 1:14:08 AM ET 2012-12-26T06:14:08

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average closed at its highest point in nine months on Wednesday after the yen fell to a 20-month low on expectations of an aggressive monetary easing stance by the government of new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The Nikkei <.N225> gained 1.5 percent or 150.24 points to 10,230.36, its highest since March 27. The broader Topix <.TOPX> added 1.2 percent to 847.71.

Abe was approved as prime minister by the lower house of parliament just before the market close.

(Reporting by Ayai Tomisawa; Editing by Chris Gallagher)

(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Check for restrictions at: http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp

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