<h1>Asian Stocks Rise as Japan Hits Records on Possible Fiscal Stimulus; AI Chip Deals Drive Wall Street Records</h1> Asian markets were mostly higher in quiet holiday trading as Japan's benchmark hit new records on expectations of greater government spending and tax cuts after a conservative party picked a woman leader likely to become prime minister, though coalition hurdles remain. Wall Street set records driven by AI enthusiasm after a major chipmaker struck a deal with a leading AI firm that could include equity contingent on milestones; another chipmaker announced a large investment in that AI firm earlier. A regional bank agreed to be acquired in an all-stock deal, an EV maker hinted at a product unveiling, and a telecom replaced its CEO.