Japan stocks rise 2.3% on weaker yen

Japanese shares jumped 2.3% Monday for the second straight day of increase as export-linked issues were bolstered by the yen's sharp fall against major currencies. The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 350.35 points, or 2.3%, to end at 15,650.21 while the broader-based Topix index was up 19.49 points, or 1.58%, at 1,255.32. The nation's economy grew at an annual rate of 1.1% in the July-to-September period, revised down from an initial estimate of 1.9% growth, the government said. The figure showed a fourth straight quarter of expansion in the world's third-largest economy, but below the 1.5% growth predicted by a poll of economists by the Nikkei business daily. On currency markets at 3 pm (0600 GMT), the dollar traded at 103.07-11 yen, up from Friday's 5 pm quote of 102.13-15 yen. The euro was quoted at 141.25-28 yen, up from 139.49-53 yen late Friday and at 1.3704-3705 dollars, up from 1.3658-3660 dollars.