Around the World's Markets: Tokyo

THE Nikkei 225 ended up 73.25 points, or 0.45 per cent, at 16,300.75, with the general market boosted by bargain-hunting for smaller stocks by institutions, traders said.

However, activity slowed in afternoon trade as the index failed to break the 16,400 resistance level and gave way to profit-taking, ahead of the weekend and the release of US unemployment data later on Friday. Next week's release of Japan's GDP data also curbed activity, brokers said.