Stock Market

Japan's Nikkei stock average climbed to a 15-month closing high on Tuesday as resource and machinery shares gained after China reported record imports of some commodities and stronger-than-expected exports. Some large bank shares dipped on concern about exposure to ailing Japan Airlines Corp, while shares of Fast Retailing, which runs the Uniqlo chain of budget clothing stores, fell 5 percent after a brokerage said the firm's recent earnings forecast upgrade had been largely priced in.