Nikkei hits 33-month high

Tokyo - Japanese stocks closed at a 33-month high on Wednesday, driven up by this week's approval of a draft budget.

The Nikkei gained 247.23 points, or 2.28 per cent, to end at 11,113.95.

The broader-based Topix index was up 13.91 points, or 1.51 per cent, at 934.67.

The cabinet approved a 92.61-trillion-yen (1.02-trillion-dollar) budget for fiscal 2013 on Tuesday. The budget aims to stimulate the economy with public works.//DPA