Japan's Nikkei index climbed 0.6% to close at 53,698.24 points, with gains in financial and electronics stocks helping to offset declines in retail and technology shares. Japan Post Bank rose 3.3%, and Kioxia Holdings surged 6.0%, while Aeon Co. fell 3.2% and Recruit Holdings dropped 3.3%. The broader market indicator, the Topix index, declined 0.4% to 3,521.08 points. The U.S. dollar was quoted at 153.08 yen, compared to 152.62 yen at the close of Tokyo trading on Wednesday. Investors are closely monitoring corporate earnings reports, with Takeda Pharmaceutical, Fujitsu, and Canon scheduled to announce their results later today. Ahead of the early February general election, Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's economic plan is also drawing significant attention.