Published July 16, 2026 Updated about 3 hours ago By Reuters TOKYO: Japan’s Nikkei share average rose on Wednesday, as chip-related shares rallied after Wall Street’s solid overnight finish and chip equipment maker ASML’s strong outlook. The Nikkei closed 1.49 percent higher at 68,751.51, and the broader Topix rose 1.22 percent to 4,088.12. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq advanced on Tuesday, as solid results from big banks and a cooler-than-expected inflation report boosted risk appetite amid rising tensions in the Middle East. The US semiconductor…