Tokyo: Nikkei edges up in thin, choppy trade

[TOKYO] Japanese stocks rose in thin, choppy trade on Tuesday as investors bought domestically-focused stocks and avoided taking large positions as the year draws to a close.

The Nikkei share average edged up 0.6 per cent to 18,982.23, remaining on course to gain more than 8 per cent for the year.

The Topix subindex for pharmaceuticals added 2 per cent as investors bought into defensive shares, while the construction sector gained 1.8 per cent.

The broader Topix gained 0.9 per cent to end the day at 1,543.39 with all but one of its 33 subindexes in positive territory.

The JPX-Nikkei Index 400 rose 0.9 per cent to 13,926.95.

REUTERS