Nikkei closes higher after falling for three sessions as Wall Street rises

Japan’s Nikkei ended three straight sessions of losses on Friday, tracking Wall Street’s overnight rally, although gains were limited as investors began selling shares as the index approached the sentimentally significant 27,000 point level.

The Nikkei index rose 0.66 percent to close at 2,6781.68 points, and closed up by 0.16 percent during the week. While the broader Topix index rose 0.52 percent to 1887.30, and recorded a weekly gain of 0.53 percent.

Wall Street closed significantly higher on Thursday after upbeat expectations for retail earnings and easing concerns about a sharp interest rate hike from the US Central Bank led investors to buy.

Nippon Yusen shares jumped 6.4 percent after the shipping company announced a share split.

The shipping sector rose 4.88 percent and was the biggest gainer among the 33 sub-indices on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Shares of companies related to inbound tourism rose as Japan eased border restrictions to allow in more tourists.

Shares of department store chains G Front Retailing and Takashimaya rose 4.7 percent and 4.11 percent, respectively.

Osaka Gas Co. fell 3.02%, and the Nikkei was the worst performer, followed by M3 medical services platform, which fell 2.81 percent.

Shares of 143 companies in the Nikkei index rose compared to a decline of 80 shares.