Tokyo: Nikkei rises as weak yen helps exporters; Takata slides

[TOKYO] Japanese stocks gained on Friday as a weaker yen boosted exporters, while troubled auto parts maker Takata Corp skidded after reports said it erased test results showing problems with its air bags.

The Nikkei benchmark added 0.5 per cent to 16,880.38 to finish the week up 2.8 per cent.

Strong performers included Panasonic Corp, which jumped 2.7 per cent, and chip-maker Disco, which surged 11.5 per cent as it hiked its profit outlook for the year.

Takata, already at the centre of a global vehicle recall, slipped 7.3 per cent on revelations that it ordered its technicians to destroy test results showing the risks of potentially defective air bags.

The broader Topix added 0.5 per cent to 1,363.67, while the JPX-Nikkei Index 400 gained 0.6 per cent to 12,446.09.

REUTERS