URGENT: Tokyo's Nikkei index extends gains over 2% in late trade

The Nikkei stock index soared over 2 percent Friday afternoon, as buying accelerated on the back of positive momentum inherited from Wall Street on renewed hopes for a slowing in U.S. rate hikes.

At 14:52 p.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average was up 635.71 points, or 2.01 percent, from Thursday at 32,276.98.

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