Japanese stocks finished a weak first quarter on a positive note on Friday, with index heavyweight stocks rising and technology firms such as Tokyo Electron jumping in sympathy with a rebound in their US counterparts.
The Nikkei ended 1.4 per cent higher at 21,454.30 points, its highest close in more than a week.
For the week, the index gained 4.1 per cent, though it lost 2.8 per cent for the month and tumbled 5.8 per cent on a quarterly basis, undermined by worries about higher US interest rates, a stronger yen and growing fears of a global trade war.
Volume was thin on Friday, as markets were shut for the long Easter weekend break in many of the world’s largest trading centres.
Only 1.14 billion shares changed hands on the main board, the lowest level since late December. Turnover was 2.14 trillion yen, also the lowest level since then.
The broader Topix gained 0.7 per cent to 1,716.30. Index-heavy Fast Retailing soared 3.1 per cent, contributing a hefty 49 points to the Nikkei.
Recently-battered semiconductor equipment makers rebounded, with Tokyo Electron up 4.2 per cent and Advantest Corp 1.6 per cent higher. Silicon maker Sumco gained 2.5 per cent.
