Nikkei hits 6-mth closing high, banks power higher

Japan's Nikkei stock average hit a six-month closing high on Thursday, rising 4.6 percent on the back of soaring bank shares as investor relief about the U.S. financial system grew.

Japan's Nikkei stock average hit a six-month closing high on Thursday, rising 4.6 percent on the back of soaring bank shares as investor relief about the U.S. financial system grew. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group surged more than 15 percent and Mizuho Financial Group, which was buoyed as well by a brokerage upgrade, jumped 12.1 percent.

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The benchmark Nikkei gained 408.33 points to 9,385.70, its highest close since Nov. 5, while the broader Topix rose 4.6 percent to 885.93.