TOKYO, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Japanese shares rose on Friday,
following Wall Street's rally overnight, as strong earning
results of domestic firms and a large U.S. stimulus program
boosted market sentiment.
Nikkei share average .N225 gained 1.06% to 28,641.72 by
0152 GMT, while the broader Topix .TOPX gained 1.03% to
1,884.38.
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq posted record closing highs
overnight, as Democrats pushed ahead with U.S. President Joe
Biden's proposed $1.9 trillion stimulus plan without bipartisan
support. "A bigger economic stimulus package in the U.S. is good for
the global economy and that optimism is lifting
economic-sensitive shares in Japan," said Masahiro Ichikawa,
chief market strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management.
"Investors also have started buying the virus-beaten shares
ahead of the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in Japan."
Automakers are leading Nikkei index's gain, with Mazda Motor
7261.T jumping 18.52% after the automaker cut its loss
forecasts.
Mitsubishi Motor 7211.T gained 13.78% and Subaru 7270.T
rose 8.8%.
NTT Data 9613.T jumped 9.66% after Nomura Securities
raised its target price to 1,960 yen from 1,560 yen.
Railway companies continued their rally, with Central Japan
Railway 9022.T rising 4.0% and West Japan Railway 9021.T
increasing 3.94%.
Takeda Pharmaceutical 4502.T edged up 0.46% after the drug
maker said its nine-month profit more than doubled from a year
earlier.
Tokyo Rope 5981.T surged 7.69% as a steel maker opposed a
bid by Nippon Steel 5401.T , which is trying to boost its stake
in the smaller affiliate.
Japan Asia Group 3751.T jumped 6.9% after an activist fund
launched a bid to buy the energy and environment firm which has
agreed to be bought by Carlyle Group CG.O .