Japanese shares soared today for the first rise in two trading days as market sentiment was bolstered by the yen’s fall and overnight gains on Wall Street and European bourses.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 363.56 points, or 2.58 per cent, to end at 14,472.9 while the broader-based Topix index was up 24.31 points, or 2.07 per cent, at 1,196.89.
Exporters traded broadly higher as the yen fell against major currencies. A weaker yen makes Japanese goods more competitive overseas and improves repatriated revenues.
On currency markets at 3 pm (0600 GMT), the dollar traded at 101.22-23 yen, up from Monday’s 5 pm quote of 101.14-15 yen.
The euro was quoted at 130.41-44 yen, up from 129.77-81 yen late Monday, and at $ 1.2881-2889, up from $ 1.2830-2831.