Japanese stocks closed higher for the fourth consecutive session, helped by strong profits announced by Bridgestone and other companies, while the banking sector received support from the rise in US bond yields.
The Nikkei index rose 0.65% to 28,070.51 points, the first close above the 28 thousand points level since July 16, but it may face resistance at about 28,300 points of the downward trend of the index since mid-June.
The broader Topix index gained 0.92% to 1954.08 points, and also reached its highest level since mid-July, with positive earnings supporting sentiment.