Japan's Nikkei Stock Average extended gains on Friday on positive US housing and employment data. Nikkei 225 surged 0.43% or 41.38 points to 9,636.95 with energy sector leading the gains as oil price climbed to 9-month record high. Japan's leading oil provider Inpex Corp jumped 5%. J. Front Retailing climbed 1.5% after retailer said it is planning to acquire its rival Parco Co. Other export dependent shares also prolonged upward trend with Sony adding 3% and Toshiba climbed 1.1%.