Banks were also higher, with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial rallying 4.67 percent to 591.4 yen and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial rising 3.03 percent to 3,947 yen.
The structure was meant to cast a wider net to reach qualified candidates typically missed by the traditional Morgan Stanley recruitment process.
We're looking for candidates that demonstrate success in their previous careers and a willingness to adapt and understand the transferable skills that would be relevant and beneficial in our world.
On Wall Street, all three major stock indices closed lower after investors were disappointed by Powell's speech, despite the central bank chair saying price increases are not an immediate concern.
A Fed report said activity in the American economy expanded only "modestly" and job gains were slow in recent weeks, but firms are becoming more upbeat about their prospects as Covid-19 vaccines are rolled out nationwide.
Woolworths Group, the country's top grocer, is set to report half-year results a week after rival Coles Group warned that pandemic-fuelled stockpiling may come to an end.
Financials slipped 0.9% but were set to add about 1% for the week. QBE Insurance gave up 3.3% after it posted a bigger annual loss than it had forecast and skipped a final dividend as COVID-19-related provisions and catastrophe claims surged.