Nikkei gains 0.4 pct as resource, chip shares rise

TOKYO, June 3 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei stock average gained 0.4 percent on Wednesday, with resource- and chip-linked shares rising after a surprise surge in U.S. pending home sales added to hopes the global recession may be easing.

Glassmakers such as Asahi Glass (5201.T) climbed after a slew of brokerage upgrades that cited long-term signs of hope for the economy.

The benchmark Nikkei .N225 rose 37.36 points to 9,741.67. The broader Topix gained 0.1 percent to 914.50. (Reporting by Shinichi Saoshiro)