The FTSE 100 was up nearly 95 point or 1.51% to 6,356.06 and the FTSE 250 by more than 330 points or 1.95% to 17,375.55.
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Investors were heading to the sidelines ahead of the referendum as a closely fought vote meant any large positions taken before the outcome was vulnerable to being stopped out.
Britain’s FTSE 100 also rose 0.4 percent, a day before the country votes on its membership of the European Union.
The FTSE 100 had been on course for its highest level for two months, up more than 70 points, before closing just 35 points higher at 6261.
The pound, which has been the lightning rod of Brexit opinion throughout the six-month campaign, was up 0.3 per cent at $1.4765 in early European trading having risen to its 2016 high of $1.4847 overnight.
The broader Topix shed 0.7 percent to 1,284.61 and the JPX-Nikkei Index 400 dropped 0.65 percent to 11,594.15. An exit would likely send global shares and European currencies tumbling, analysts say, due to the economic uncertainty it would create in the region.
Two opinion polls published late on Wednesday showed signs of a last-minute rise in support for staying in the European Union.
Janet Yellen commented that the Fed’s cautious approach remains appropriate, and suggested leeway regards American employment data showing a slowing labour market – “it is important not to overreact”, she said.
Meanwhile, sterling hit its highest level of the year in earlier trade this morning as traders continued to bet on Britain voting to remain in the EU. The dollar rose to 105.67 yen from 104.45 yen and the euro strengthened to $1.1387 from $1.1271. South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.3 percent to 1,986.71.
Oil prices advanced late Tuesday after the American Petroleum Institute reported that US crude supplies dropped by 5.2 million barrels for the week ended June 17, a bigger-than-expected decline.
Australia’s ASX 200 gained 0.23% to 5,285.
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This week, the investor George Soros sparked a debate by warning, in a comment article in the Guardian, of a Black Friday occurring after a vote for Brexit that would trigger a 20% fall in the value of the pound, taking it to below $1.15 and parity with the euro. It fell 72 cents on Wednesday.
