Tokyo's broad Topix stock index ended at a 30-year high and the Nikkei surged over 2% Friday after Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga expressed his intention to resign, stirring hopes for a new government to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 225-issue Nikkei stock average ended up 584.60 points, or 2.05%, from Thursday at 29,128.11, ending at its highest level since June 16. The Topix index of all first section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished 31.88 points, or 1.61%, higher at 2,015.45, ending at its highest level since April 18, 1991.
Every industry category gained ground, led by iron and steel, electric appliance and machinery issues.