Japanese shares rose Thursday on a weakening of the yen.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 71.76 points, or 0.82 per cent, to close at 8824.07.
The broader-based Topix index was up 6.62 points, or 0.89 per cent, at 753.96.
A weaker yen makes Japanese-made goods more competitive overseas, and enhances revenues when they are repatriated.
The yen fell for a second day after the news Wednesday that the Federal Reserve in the United States, a key export market for Japan, was to extend credit-easing measures.
In Tokyo, on currency markets at 3 pm (08:00 SA time), the dollar traded at 79.67-68 yen, up from Wednesday's 5 pm quote of 78.84-85
yen.
The euro was quoted at 1.2681-82 dollars, up from 1.2671-72
dollars late Wednesday, and at 101.04-06 yen, up from 99.90-94 yen. - Sapa-dpa