Japan's benchmark Nikkei down 17.3% for 2011

Japan's Nikkei Stock Average gained 0.67% or 56.46 points on Friday closing at 8,455.35. Japan's leading exporters partly recovered from previous days' losses as Sony Corp. ascended 2%, Sharp Corp. climbed 1.1% while Panasonic Corp. jumped 1.6%. Appreciation in the Nikkei 225 also was fuelled by retailers as Fast Retailing Co. soared 1.2% and J. Front Retailing Co surged 1.9%. Nikkei 225 is down 17.3% for this year.