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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.
