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| - Tokyo shares shed earlier losses and ended higher Friday on renewed optimism as the Japanese capital moved to loosen social restrictions after falls in the number of coronavirus infections. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index rose 0.74 percent, or 171.02 points, to 23,406.49, for a weekly gain of 0.87 percent. The broader Topix index added 0.72 percent, or 11.78 points, to 1,636.64 for a weekly gain of 1.24 percent. The market started the day on a weak tone after US shares dropped overnight on disappointment that a relief package did not pass the US Senate. "After initial selling, bargain hunters came in and the market started to trim losses and eventually returned to positive territory," Okasan Online Securities said in a note to clients. "Investors regained their optimism further in the afternoon session on the back of the Japanese economy's recovery." Players cheered that Tokyo residents will be included in the central government's stimulus campaign to boost the tourism sector. Tokyo residents have been excluded from the programme, which offers discounts, as the Japanese capital had been hit hard by the coronavirus. But the region is now seeing a falling number of new infections and is preparing to loosen coronavirus restrictions. The dollar stood at 106.16 yen, nearly flat from 106.13 yen in New York Thursday. Among major shares, the travel sector benefited. East Japan Railway jumped 2.77 percent to 7,152 yen. Japan Airlines rose 1.62 percent to 2,25. SoftBank Group rose 1.03 percent to 5,860 yen. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group rose 0.32 percent to 438.8 yen. Toyota added 0.01 percent to 6,956 yen. Nintendo rose 0.34 percent at 59,230 yen. Sony fell 0.06 percent to 8,211. Industrial robot maker Fanuc fell 0.31 percent to 21,090 yen. hih/qan
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