TOKYO, June 30 (Reuters) - Japanese shares ended higher on Tuesday, as positive economic data from the United States and China helped to end the quarter on a strong note and as investors pinned hopes on stimulus.
The benchmark Nikkei average .N225 advanced 1.33% to 22,288.14. The benchmark gained 17.82% for the quarter.
Meanwhile, the broader Topix .TOPX climbed 0.62% to 1,558.77, both rebounding from the lowest close touched in the previous session.
The Tokyo markets got an early boost tracking overnight gains in Wall Street, as investors hoped for a stimulus-backed economic rebound and after U.S. home sales data showed a quick recovery in housing market activity last month. risk sentiment was weighed down by concerns over Sino-U.S. tensions after China's parliament passed the national security legislation for Hong Kong on Tuesday. but six of 33 sector sub-indexes on the Tokyo exchange traded higher on Tuesday, with highly cyclical iron and steel .ISTEL.T and airlines .IAIRL.T leading advances.
The yen JPY= softened against the dollar to 107.76, providing a tailwind for Japan's automaker stocks, with Honda Motor Co Ltd 7267.T climbing 1.74% and Nissan Motor Co Ltd 7201.T adding 1.14%.
Shares of Tokyo-listed aircraft components makers tracked U.S. peers higher, after a 14% surge in Boeing (NYSE:BA) Co's stock BA.N after the company began its certification flight testing of a 737 MAX. Jamco Corp 7408.T jumped 4.62%, while Toray Industries Inc 3402.T advanced 2.55%.
Sentiment in global markets was lifted after data on China's vast factory sector showed activity quickened last month, defying expectations for a modest slowdown. However, export orders remained weak, suggesting the economy is still battling with uncertainties amid an economic recovery.