FIN: Tokyo shares have notched up another week of gains as a weaker yen and positive reads from US economic indicators helped boost markets.
For the week to December 7, the benchmark Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange rose 0.86 per cent, or 81.38 points, to 9,527.39.
The broader Topix index of all first-section issues added 1.12 per cent, or 8.78 points, to 790.24.
The yen has been under pressure since Japan's main opposition leader Shinzo Abe, the front runner to become the country's next prime minister, repeatedly said he would push the Bank of Japan to usher in more aggressive easing measures.
A weaker yen boosts exporters as it makes their products more competitive overseas.
Tokyo stocks ended up 0.81 per cent on Thursday, with the Nikkei 225 index hitting a seven-month high on optimism over the US economy and speculation of more BoJ monetary easing.
A rise in the Institute for Supply Management's November index on activity in the vast US service sector helped boost the Tokyo market.
On Friday the Nikkei index eased 0.19 per cent, as investors took a wait-and-see stance ahead of key US jobs data later in the day while the yen proved resistant to further sell pressure.
Looking ahead, markets will likely keep a close eye on "US non-farm payrolls data, upcoming Japan lower house elections (on December 16), and a possible North Korean missile launch", an equity trading director at a foreign brokerage told Dow Jones Newswires.
