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HONG KONG (AP) - Most Asian markets wrapped up the year higher Friday, as Japanese shares hit a new seven-month high and shares in China, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand set record closes.
Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei 225 stock index rose 1.02 points, or 0.01 percent, to finish a quiet half-day session at 17,225.83 points — its highest close since May 9.
The Nikkei ended 6.9 percent higher than the last trading day last year. It was the fourth straight year of growth for the index amid encouraging signs of an economic recovery, but that growth was well below a 40 percent advance in 2005.
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