MY: Nikkei hits 6-mth high on US data, euro worries ease
Japan's Nikkei share average rose 0.8% to a six-month high on Friday, after a stream of positive US retail and housing data raised hopes for a swift recovery in the world's biggest economy.
Data showed US retailers reported higher-than-forecast sales for November, while the four-week moving average for initial weekly claims for jobless benefits fell to a fresh two-year low, although new requests rose for the week.
An easing of concerns over the euro zone debt crisis also supported Tokyo shares.
The Nikkei extended Thursday's gains, climbing 0.8% at one point to 10,254.00. The broader Topix index gained 0.7% to 883.42.
