The Nikkei 225 rose 0.6% to above 44,000 on Thursday, extending its advance from the previous session as a surprise drop in US producer prices for August fueled expectations of deeper Federal Reserve rate cuts. Attention now turns to US consumer inflation data for further signals. On the domestic front, surveys showed business sentiment in Japan improved in the third quarter, supported by a sharp rebound in exports as firms rushed shipments to the US ahead of newly imposed 15% blanket tariffs. Another report showed producer prices climbed 2.7% year-on-year in August, quickening from a revised 2.5% rise in July. Technology stocks led the rally, with notable gains from SoftBank Group (6.7%), Advantest (2.9%) and Disco (2.1%). Other heavyweights also advanced, including Fujikura (1.2%) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (2%).