Nikkei hits 3-mth closing high on yen, Canon jumps

TOKYO, Dec 24 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average rose 1.5 percent to post a three-month closing high on Thursday as a weaker yen boosted exporters, while Canon Inc soared after it won approval from EU regulators for its takeover of a Dutch firm.

The Nikkei climbed 158.89 points to 10,536.92, its highest since Sept. 24.

The broader Topix added 1.2 percent to 913.72.



(Reporting by Rika Otsuka)

(([e-mail]; [phone]; Reuters Messaging: [e-mail]))

((If you have a query or comment on this story, send an email to [e-mail]))

Keywords: MARKETS JAPAN STOCKS (Multimedia versions of Reuters Top News are now available for: * 3000 Xtra : visit http://topnews.session.rservices.com * BridgeStation: view story .134 * Reuters Plus: from your WebDSS screen For more information on Top News, visit http://topnews.reuters.com) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.