Nikkei climbs 1.3 percent, autos lead gains on oil, yen

By Elaine Lies TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei stock average climbed 1.3 percent on Thursday, in sight of its highest close since June, as Toyota Motor Co and other carmakers led gains among exporters after oil prices fell to a six-week low and the yen weakened. Advantest Corp and other chip equipment firms sold off earlier this week bounced back, while banks rose on relief for troubled home financers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac after U.S. President George W. Bush dropped a threat to veto a housing rescue bill. A strong earthquake in northern Japan early on Thursday led a handful of companies to halt production at plants in the affected area, but one -- Nippon Steel Corp's Kamaishi Works -- had resumed by midday, and others were expected to restart soon. Oil fell $4 on Wednesday, extending its losses to more than $20 from the... [read full story]