TOKYO, March 5 (Reuters) - The benchmark Nikkei average rose 1.9 percent and the broader TOPIX was 1.5 percent higher on Friday.
The following stocks were on the move:
**CANON GAINS AFTER SAYING OCE BID UNCONDITIONAL**
Canon Inc rose 2.4 percent to 3,855 yen after it on Thursday declared its $1 billion offer for Oce NV unconditional, sending a clear message to shareholders holding out for a better deal it is set to tie up the acquisition.
Canon extended the offer to March 19 with the aim of buying all shares in the Dutch printer maker.
0016 GMT
**SHINSEI BANK, AOZORA BANK UP ON REPORT RESUMING MERGER TALKS**
Shinsei and Aozora, two mid-size Japanese lenders owned by U.S. funds, are resuming their merger talks, Jiji news agency reported on Thursday.
The Nikkei newspaper said last month that the banks would scrap or indefinitely postpone their plan to merge because they could not decide on a business strategy.
Concern the deal could be scrapped has weighed on the stock price of Shinsei, which has the weaker capital base of the two banks.
Shinsei climbed 4 percent to 104 yen and Aozora rose 0.8 percent to 121 yen. The banks subindex rose 0.7 percent.
0006 GMT
(Reporting by Elaine Lies)
((elaine.lies@thomsonreuters.com; 81-3-6441-1807; Reuters messaging: elaine.lies.reuters@reuters.com))
((If you have a query or comment on this story, send an email to news.feedback.asia@thomsonreuters.com))
Keywords: MARKETS JAPAN STOCKS HOT (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 2010. 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.
The following stocks were on the move:
**CANON GAINS AFTER SAYING OCE BID UNCONDITIONAL**
Canon Inc rose 2.4 percent to 3,855 yen after it on Thursday declared its $1 billion offer for Oce NV unconditional, sending a clear message to shareholders holding out for a better deal it is set to tie up the acquisition.
Canon extended the offer to March 19 with the aim of buying all shares in the Dutch printer maker.
0016 GMT
**SHINSEI BANK, AOZORA BANK UP ON REPORT RESUMING MERGER TALKS**
Shinsei and Aozora, two mid-size Japanese lenders owned by U.S. funds, are resuming their merger talks, Jiji news agency reported on Thursday.
The Nikkei newspaper said last month that the banks would scrap or indefinitely postpone their plan to merge because they could not decide on a business strategy.
Concern the deal could be scrapped has weighed on the stock price of Shinsei, which has the weaker capital base of the two banks.
Shinsei climbed 4 percent to 104 yen and Aozora rose 0.8 percent to 121 yen. The banks subindex rose 0.7 percent.
0006 GMT
(Reporting by Elaine Lies)
((elaine.lies@thomsonreuters.com; 81-3-6441-1807; Reuters messaging: elaine.lies.reuters@reuters.com))
((If you have a query or comment on this story, send an email to news.feedback.asia@thomsonreuters.com))
Keywords: MARKETS JAPAN STOCKS HOT (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 2010. 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.
