TOKYO, Feb 5 (Reuters) – Japanese shares ended more than 1% higher on Friday, following Wall Street\u2019s rally overnight, driven by upbeat earnings from domestic firms and expectations of a large U.S. stimulus package.<\/p>\n
Nikkei share average jumped 1.54% to 28,779.19. The broader Topix gained 1.38% at 1,890.95.<\/p>\n
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq posted record closing highs overnight, as Democrats pushed ahead with U.S. President Joe Biden\u2019s proposed $1.9 trillion stimulus plan without bipartisan support.<\/p>\n
\u201cA bigger economic stimulus package in the U.S. is good for the global economy and that optimism is lifting economic-sensitive shares in Japan,\u201d said Masahiro Ichikawa, chief market strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management.<\/p>\n
Japanese automakers jumped, with Mazda Motor surging 18.52% after cutting its loss forecast, making it the biggest gainer in the Nikkei index.<\/p>\n
Mitsubishi Motor jumped 8.13% and Nissan Motor gained 7.51%.<\/p>\n
NTT Data jumped 9.63% after Nomura Securities raised its target price on the information network builder\u2019s stock.<\/p>\n
Railway companies, which are also considered sensitive to economic news, gained. Central Japan Railway rose 5.14% and West Japan Railway increased 6.3%.<\/p>\n
Takeda Pharmaceutical edged up 0.33% after the drug maker said its nine-month profit more than doubled from a year earlier.<\/p>\n
Tokyo Rope surged 10.13% as the steel maker opposed a bid by Nippon Steel, which is trying to boost its stake in the smaller affiliate.<\/p>\n
Japan Asia Group jumped 8.96% after an activist fund launched a counter bid for the energy and environment firm, which has agreed to be bought by Carlyle Group.<\/p>\n