TOKYO, Jan 8 (Reuters) - The dollar-denominated Nikkei share average rose above its peak hit in 1989 to a record high on Friday, supported by hopes of larger U.S. economic stimulus after Democrats regained the narrow control of the U.S. Senate.

The Nikkei rose 2.36% to 28,139.03, which would be 270.828 in dollar terms at the current dollar/yen exchange rate, above its peak of 270.82 marked in December 1989. (Reporting by Hideyuki Sano; Editing by Christopher Cushing)