"The U.S. economy overall is headed for a mild recovery, and that's supporting stocks"
- Kiyoshi Ishigane, a strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co.
Japanese household spending fell 2.3 per cent in January from the same period last year and unemployment rose by 0.1 per cent to 4.6 per cent, showed the government data on Friday.
Japanese stocks ended Friday's session higher after a report showed U.S. jobless claims fell to a four-year low.
The Nikkei 225 advanced 0.72%, or 69.66, to 9,777.03. The broader Topix edged higher 0.76%, or 6.28, to 837.82.
"The U.S. economy overall is headed for a mild recovery, and that's supporting stocks," Kiyoshi Ishigane, a Tokyo-based strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co.
"The Greek debt crisis isn't fully resolved yet, but it has calmed down for now."
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