2342 GMT - Japanese stocks may rise thanks to eased fears about the Fed's rate increases and gains in U.S. technology stocks overnight. Nikkei futures are up 1.2% at 68500 on the SGX. The dollar is at 159.34 yen, compared with Y159.40 as of Wednesday's Tokyo stock market close. Investors are focusing on any developments in the Iran conflict and crude oil prices. The Nikkei Stock Average rose 0.8% to 67524.06 on Wednesday.