Hiroaki Hiwata and Tokyo Stock Exchange

Tokyo Stock Exchange: The broader Topix index of all first-section shares also leapt forward 0.83 percent, or 12.26 points, to 1,494.93 by the close. , according to Deutsche Welle. "Easing concerns over the Greek problem, a strong US stock market, and the yen relative weakness - the overall market conditions are upbeat," Hiroaki Hiwata, a strategist at Toyo Securities, told AFP news agency. The benchmark index at Tokyo Stock Exchange rose 0.36 percent on Thursday, or 65.62 points, to 18,264.79, its best finish since May 2000. It was pushed up by a surge in bank shares and Sony as the consumer electronics giant forecasts a jump in operating profit. Official data suggested that surging exports helped cut Japan trade deficit by more than half in January, a day after the central bank said the world No. 3 economy was recovering well. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.