* Nikkei gains 0.22%, brushes 2-1/2-mth peak
* Gains limited ahead of ECB, Fed policy decisions
* Advantest rallies, other tech-related shares also firm
By Shinichi Saoshiro
TOKYO, July 25 (Reuters) - Japanese stocks rose on Thursday
after Wall Street climbed to record highs, although the gains
were modest as investors showed restraint ahead of policy
decisions by the European Central Bank later in the day and the
Federal Reserve next week.
The Nikkei share average .N225 ended the day up 0.22% at
21,756.55 after touching 21,823.07, its highest since May 7.
The ECB is seen easing policy further on Thursday and the
Fed is widely expected to lower interest rates by 25 basis
points (bps) at its July 30-31 meeting.
"Easing expectations have been supportive for equities,"
said Yutaka Miura, senior technical analyst at Mizuho
Securities.
"But after July, the next FOMC (Federal Open Market
Committee) meeting won't take place until September, so it's
difficult to see equities drawing further support from the
easing theme once and if the Fed cuts rates next week," he said.
Chip equipment maker Advantest Corp 6857.T surged 20.2%
after earnings released the previous day showed that the
company's decline in April-June sales was not as steep as feared
earlier, thanks to steady demand linked to 5G networks and
artificial intelligence. Other technology shares were supported after their U.S.
peers gained overnight and propelled the Nasdaq .IXIC and S&P
500 .SPX to record peaks. .N
Semiconductor product manufacturer Sumco Corp 3436.T rose
2.44%, electronic component maker Rohm Co 6963.T added 1.03%
and Tokyo Electron 8035.T advanced 3.63%.
Index heavyweight SoftBank Group 9984.T was up 1.8% after
media reports said the conglomerate is expected to announce a
$40 billion investment in its technology-focused Vision Fund.
The broader Topix .TOPX gained 0.13% to 1,577.85
Of Tokyo's 33 sub-indexes, 19 ended in positive territory.