Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 advanced 0.77% on Monday to finish at a record 43,714.31, surpassing its previous peak set on Friday and marking a second straight session of all-time highs. The broader Topix added 0.43% to 3,120.96, also closing at an unprecedented level. Export-oriented automakers led the rally as the yen weakened to about ¥147.5 per dollar. Toyota Motor rose 1.7% and Honda Motor gained 1.6%, with investors betting a softer currency will inflate overseas earnings. In all, roughly 69% of stocks on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Prime Market gained, though bank shares lagged; Mitsubishi UFJ and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Groups fell more than 2%. Analysts cited continuing foreign inflows, optimism over domestic corporate earnings and economic growth, and supportive cues from record-setting U.S. equities for sustaining momentum in Japanese shares even after last week’s run-up.