Japan's Nikkei posts first monthly gain for year on trade talk hopes

Nikkei rose 0.6% to hit a one-month high, logging its first monthly gain since December.

Optimism grew as Japan's trade chief headed to the U.S. for tariff talks amid easing tensions.

Sony jumped 7.1% on spin-off news; Hitachi and Toyota declined.

BOJ expected to hold rates steady; weaker yen continues to support exports.