Tokyo shares end higher

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index surged 1.27 per cent, or 336.19 points, at 26,739.03, while the broader Topix index added 0.93 per cent, or 17.29 points, to 1,877.37.

The dollar stood at 127.94 yen against 127.80 yen in New York on Thursday.

The surge came as a natural rebound after Japan's blue chip shares dropped on Thursday, analysts said.

"A broad range of shares attracted buyers from early trade on a rebound from the deep loss of the previous session," Okasan Online Securities said in a note.

China's decision on Friday to cut a key interest rate to boost its economy also brightened the global market's sentiment, lifting Asian and Japanese shares.

"On the back of rising US futures market as well as Asian shares, the Nikkei gradually and steadily rose through the closing bell," Okasan said.

A broad range of shares advanced in Tokyo. 

Major shipping firm Nippon Yusen surged 3.74 per cent to 9,990 yen. Sony Group added 1.19 per cent to 11,525 yen. Uniqlo-operator Fast Retailing added 2.53 per cent to 59,630 yen.

SoftBank Group added 3.50 per cent to 5,232 yen. Nintendo rose 0.22 per cent to 59,290 yen.

Toyota rose 2.14 per cent to 2,048.0 yen. Advantest, which produces testing kits for semiconductors, added 1.16 per cent to 8,710 yen.