Japanese stocks gain as yen eases and China's manufacturing grows

Japan equities inched up after the weakening of national currency and positive data on China's manufacturing expansion. The Nikkei 225 surged 0.2 percent to 8,946.87 by 3 p.m. in Tokyo, rebounding from a 0.6 percent fall. The Topix index advanced 0.1 per cent to 743.32. Construction machinery producer Komatsu Ltd. increased 3.1 per cent, while Nippon Meat Packers Inc. jumped 13 percent.