Good news for Japanese stocks

Japanese stocks rose after a US retail sales report eased concern the Federal Reserve will keep raising interest rates in the world’s largest economy.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 80.68 to 16,319.04 at the 3pm close in Tokyo. The Topix index added 0.99 to 1666.78. Nikkei futures expiring in June added 0.4% to 16,240 in Osaka and gained 0.3% to 16,245 in Singapore.