Japan’s Nikkei rounds off 2023 with biggest yearly gain in a decade

Japan's Nikkei share average closed 2023 with its best year in a decade on expectations of better governance, though ticking lower in the day's session amid a lack of any big triggers. On Friday, the Nikkei fell 0.22% to close at 33,464.17. "Investors bought stocks that had underperformed, and sold those that had outperformed in recent sessions as they did not find any market moving cues," said Takehiko Masuzawa, trading head at Phillip Securities Japan.