Japanese stocks posted their best day in 6-1/2 weeks on Friday as investors continued to take heart from the US Federal Reserve’s “patient’’ approach to raising interest rates, while awaiting comments from the head of the Bank of Japan after it held policy steady.

The Nikkei benchmark ended 2.4 per cent higher at 17,621.40, its biggest daily percentage gain since early November. For the week, the index is up 1.4 per cent.

The Bank of Japan maintained its massive monetary stimulus and offered a brighter view of the economy.

The broader Topix added 2.4 per cent to 1,409.61, while the JPX-Nikkei Index 400 gained 2.5 per cent to 12,799.29.

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