TOKYO: Japanese stocks finished a weak first quarter on a positive note on Friday, with index heavyweight stocks rising and technology firms such as Tokyo Electron jumping in sympathy with a rebound in their US counterparts.
The Nikkei ended 1.4 percent higher at 21,454.30 points, its highest close in more than a week.
For the week, the index gained 4.1 percent, though it lost 2.8 percent for the month and tumbled 5.8 percent on a quarterly basis, undermined by worries about higher US interest rates, a stronger yen and growing fears of a global trade war.
Volume was thin on Friday, as markets were shut for the long Easter weekend break in many of the world's largest trading centres.
Only 1.14 billion shares changed hands on the main board, the lowest level since late December. Turnover was 2.14 trillion yen, also the lowest level since then.
The broader Topix gained 0.7 percent to 1,716.30.
Index-heavy Fast Retailing soared 3.1 percent, contributing a hefty 49 points to the Nikkei.
Recently-battered semiconductor equipment makers rebounded, with Tokyo Electron up 4.2 percent and Advantest Corp 1.6 percent higher.
Silicon maker Sumco gained 2.5 percent.
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