"The BOJ will pursue powerful easing"
- Masaaki Shirakawa, Bank of Japan Governor
Japanese stocks closed higher on Friday, after a North Korean rocket launch failed.
The Nikkei 225 gained 1.19%, or 113.20 points, to 9,637.99, while the broader Topix rose 0.69%, or 5.60, to 815.48.
"It's better to have it fail than succeed," said Masahiko Ejiri, a senior fund manager in Tokyo at Mizuho Asset Management Co., speaking of North Korea's unsuccessful rocket launch.
"Even if they do build a nuclear weapon, it doesn't matter if they can't make it fly."
© Dukascopy Bank