Tokyo stocks rise as weaker yen lifts exporters

TOKYO, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed higher on Friday with the benchmark Nikkei index ending at a five-month high of above 40,000, lifted by automakers and other export-oriented issues on a weaker yen.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended up 713.10 points, or 1.80 percent, from Thursday at 40,281.16, its highest level since July 17.

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