Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 1.2 percent on Monday to a three-month closing high, as hopes grew that the worst may be over for the U.S. economy and exporters like Panasonic Corp (6752.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) gained on a weaker yen. The benchmark Nikkei .N225 gained 108.09 points to 8,857.93, its highest close since early January. The broader Topix dipped 0.1 percent to 830.97.

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