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TOKYO (AP) - Japan's main stock index ended a turbulent 2006 with a 7 percent gain for the year, logging its fourth straight year of growth despite an early sell-off sparked by an Internet startup scandal and a midyear slump over concerns of a U.S. economic slowdown.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 stock index edged up 0.01 percent from Thursday to close at 17,225.83 points on the Tokyo Stock Exchange — the index's highest close since early May, and a 6.9 percent rise for the year.
Friday's finish also marked the fourth straight year of growth and the highest year-end close since 1999. The broader Topix index, which includes all shares on the exchange's first section, rose 2.16 points, or 0.12 percent, to 1,681.07 points on Friday, a 1.90 percent gain for the year.
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