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Tokyo stocks close week at fresh 7-week high on monetary eas

TOKYO, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Nikkei Stock Average rose 0. 81 percent Friday to a fresh seven-week high on optimism the yen will weaken further amid speculation the Bank of Japan (BOJ) will loosen monetary policies.

Japan's key benchmark Nikkei gained 86.31 points from Thursday to 10,751.26, marking the highest closing level since January 21.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange gained 6.00 points, or 0.64 percent, to 936. 38.

Increased speculation that Japan's central bank may take steps towards monetary easing lifted market sentiment on Friday; as such a move would weaken the yen and stave off the yen-carry trade seen last year.

Japan's Finance Minister Naoto Kan said on Friday the economy has shown some improvement but it is not yet showing a self- sustaining recovery.

"I still can't say the economy is on a self-sustaining recovery path," said Kan, also the deputy prime minister.