Japan leads Asia markets higher; Nintendo rallies after Saudi fund reportedly looks to raise stake

Mario poses at the “SUPER NINTENDO WORLD” welcome celebration at Universal Studios Hollywood on February 16, 2023 in Universal City, California.Rodin Eckenroth | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets mostly climbed on Monday, led by Japan’s Nikkei 225 rising almost 2% as investors look ahead to a week of central bank decisions from around the region.The Nikkei climbed 1.8%, powered by financials and consumer cyclical stocks, and closed at 39,332.74. Mizuho Financial Group and Nikon were among top gainers on the index.Separately, shares of video gaming company Nintendo climbed almost 5% on Monday, after Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund was reported to be considering raising its stake in the company.Kyodo also reported that the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund is also considering acquiring more shares in Japanese video gaming companies. Currently, the PIF has stakes in Nintendo, Koei Tecmo Holdings as well as in game software developers such as Nexon and…