Nikkei rises to 3-week high on China hopes, US data

Japanese stocks rose to a three-week high on Thursday, helped by gains in construction equipment makers on news China is taking steps to stimulate its economy, and as the dollar hit a 10-week high to the yen after solid US economic data.

The Nikkei ended 0.8% higher to 15,071.88 points, the highest close since March 11.

The broader Topix rose 0.5% to 1,216.77. The JPX-Nikkei Index 400, a gauge comprised of companies with a high return on equity and robust corporate governance, added 0.6 percent to 11,029.28.