Asia shares were near to eking out a sixth session of gains on Wednesday as investors strove to stay optimistic on the chance of a Greek debt deal, while the dollar held firm as the prospect of U.S. rate rises swung back into view. Japan’s Nikkei led the way as a rise of 0.5 percent cleared a peak from 2000 to reach ground last trod in late 1996. MSCI’s index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan ticked up 0.1 percent.