TOKYO: Japanese stocks rose, led by precision instrument makers, as investors await progress on an agreement among euro-area finance ministers on Greece’s bailout program.
Nippon Sheet Glass Co., which counts Europe as its biggest market for sales, gained 0.9 percent. Medical-equipment maker Terumo Corp. added 1.6 percent after a report its operating profit is likely to reach a record. Takata Corp. slumped 2.5 percent after U.S. regulators said they will begin fining the Tokyo-based company for not fully cooperating on an investigation into exploding airbags.
The Topix index advanced 0.5 percent to 1,507.23 at the trading break in Tokyo, on course to rise for a sixth day, its longest winning streak since early December. About nine shares rose for every eight that fell. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average jumped 0.8 percent to 18,481.19, on course for its highest close since April 2000.
