Tokyo stocks hit a new record and neared a key threshold on Tuesday, and then dropped as Sanae Takaichi became Japan's prime minister . The Nikkei 225 stock index opened at 49,675.43, up 1% and breaking the previous record, of 49,185.5, set on Monday. It rose as high as 49,945.95 — now the new record — shortly before the conclusion of the morning session. The 50,000 mark, just a week ago forecast as a year-end target by some brokers, was almost hit.