" As it's unclear where crude oil prices and the North Africa situation are going, choppy trading will likely continue" in coming sessions, he said. Shares of oil explorer Index were outperforming the market, up 1.22 percent at 580,000 yen. In Asian trade Thursday, New York's main contract, light sweet crude for April delivery, rose 24 cents to $102.47 and Brent North Sea crude for April delivery was up 35 cents at $116.70. Softbank gained 3.37 percent to 110 yen on prospects of higher sales after Apple unveiled its second-generation iPad. Softbank is the US firm's exclusive partner in Japan. Fast Retailing was off 1.11 percent at 12,370 yen after reporting weaker February same-store sales.