Nikkei closes at 4-1/2-yr high, financials, exporters gain on weak yen

TOKYO, March 11 (Reuters) - The Nikkei share average closed
at a new 4-1/2-year high on Monday as investors bought
financials and exporters after the yen weakened on signs of
recovery in the U.S. economy, while hopes for monetary easing
aided risk appetites.
The Nikkei closed up 0.5 percent to 12,349.05, a
level not seen since just before the collapse of Lehman Brothers
roiled global markets in September 2008. The Topix
surged 1.9 percent to 1,039.98.