TOKYO, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index briefly climbed above the 45,000 mark for the first time in history soon after the open on Tuesday.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose as high as 45,055.38 during early trading on Tuesday, the first trading day of the week.

Japanese markets were closed on Monday for a public holiday.

The benchmark rose steadily last week, hitting all-time highs three times. ■