Nikkei rises to over 2-wk closing high on weak yen; Topix hits 6-wk high

Japanese stocks rose on Wednesday in heavy trade, led by exporters and financials as the dollar stood tall against the yen and upbeat U.S. consumer confidence data lifted expectations of a near-term U.S. interest rate hike.

The Nikkei gained 1.0 percent to 16,887.40, the highest closing level since Aug. 12. The benchmark index gained 1.9 percent this month.

The broader Topix gained 1.3 percent to a near six-week closing high of 1,329.54, with 2.089 billion shares changing hands, the highest since Aug. 8.

Turnover was 2.205 trillion yen, the highest since Aug. 9.

The JPX-Nikkei Index 400 advanced 1.3 percent to 11,967.56.

Source: Reuters