MW: Tokyo shares rally in mixed Asia, Nikkei ends up
By V. Phani Kumar
HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Japanese shares ended sharply higher in mixed Asian markets on Friday, cheering strong revised economic data and a government proposal to offer a fresh fiscal stimulus, as well as strong Chinese imports data. The Nikkei Stock Average ended 1.6% higher at 9,239.17, with Canon Inc. (JP:7751 3,550, +40.00, +1.14%) (CAJ 43.07, +0.83, +1.96%) soaring 5.6% after it announced a share buy back plan. Among other gainers, South Korea's Kospi rose 1% and Taiwan's Taiex climbed 0.7%. But Chinese stocks gave up early gains to decline in cautious trade after Beijing brought forward the date for its monthly inflation data by two days to Saturday. The Shanghai Composite dropped 0.5% to 2,642.79 in afternoon trade, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index giving up early gains to trade flat by the midday break. Elsewhere, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 shed 0.4%.
