Japan and China stocks rise

Japan and China stocks closed higher Friday, while most markets in the Asia-Pacific region stay shut for a public holiday, reports CNBC.
Japan's Nikkei 225 index gained 0.5 per cent to end at 40,369.44, after falling about 1.5 per cent in the previous session. The broader Topix rose 0.65 per cent to close at 2,768.62 following declines of 1.7 per cent.
The Japanese yen will be closely watched during the session amid speculation of a possible intervention after the currency recently hit 34-year lows against the US dollar at 151.97. It last traded at 151.41 against the greenback.
China's CSI 300 index closed 0.47 per cent to 3,537.48.
South Korea's Kospi closed near flat at 2,746.63, while the smaller-cap Kosdaq was down 0.5 per cent at 905.5.
Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Australia and New Zealand were among the major Asia-Pacific markets shut for the Good Friday holiday.