Japan: Nikkei at 21-year higher for strong corporate earnings

Japan's Nikkei share average extended its strong rally to top a new 21-year peak on Thursday, ahead of a long weekend, with investors piling into miners and companies such as Honda Motor and Sony on robust earnings prospects. 

The Nikkei ended up 0.5 per cent at 22,539.12 after reaching a high of 22,540.25, its best close since late June 1996. 

For the week, the index rose 2.4 per cent, its eighth straight weekly gain and longest winning streak since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Abenomics reforms started in late 2012. Japanese markets will be closed for a holiday on Friday.

The best performers of the session on the Nikkei 225 were Kobe Steel, which rose 8.73% or 87.0 points to trade at 1083.5 at the close. Meanwhile, Honda added 5.20% or 186.0 points to end at 3762.0 and Tosoh was up 4.95% or 122.0 points to 2586.0 in late trade. 

Mining, transportation equipment and nonferrous metal-oriented stocks comprised those that gained the most by the close of play.