Tokyo - SPA
Japan\'s benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average jumped
nearly 3 per cent Thursday for the first rise in four trading days as
concerns about China\'s credit crunch eased and as investors picked up
cheaper shares after recent losses, dpa reported.
The Nikkei gained 379.54 points, or 2.96 per cent, to end at
13,213.55 after falling 1.04 per cent Wednesday.
The broader-based Topix index was up 29.55 points, or 2.76 per
cent, at 1,098.83 after losing 0.87 per cent Wednesday.
By mid-afternoon, China\'s Shanghai Composite Index had climbed
0.15 per cent.
On currency markets at 3 pm (0600 GMT), the dollar traded at
97.82-83 yen, up from Wednesday\'s 5 pm quote of 97.57-59 yen.
The euro was quoted at 127.46-49 yen, down from 127.56-60 yen late
Wednesday, and at 1.3033-3034 dollars, down from 1.3073-3075 dollars.