Japan's Nikkei closes higher for 4th straight day as yen's retreat lifts exports

TOKYO, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- The benchmark Nikkei stock index closed higher for the fourth straight day on Friday, with exporters lifted by the yen's retreat against the U.S. dollar after upbeat economic data released by the United States.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average added 113.63 points, or 0.54 percent, from Thursday to close the day at 21,199.57.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, gained 2.64 points, or 0.17 percent, higher at 1,537.10.

Transportation equipment, machinery and wholesale trade-linked issues comprised those that gained the most by the close of play.