The Nikkei 225 Stock Average surged 1.83 per cent, or 164.24 points, to 9,159.39. The broader Topix Index advanced 1.70 per cent, or 12.65, to 756.88.
"Carmakers are supposed to be rising the most today, but concerns about various anti-Japanese movements are dragging them down even though the yen is weakening," Resona Bank's Toda said.