Nikkei rises to two-week high on weak yen; Sharp soars

TOKYO - Japanese stocks rose to a two-week high on Monday thanks to a weaker yen, while Sharp Corp (6753.T) jumped on expectations it may finally sign a long-delayed takeover deal with its Taiwanese suitor. The Nikkei .N225 gained 0.8 percent to 17,134.37, the highest closing level since March 14. As March 31 is the business year-end for a majority of listed companies, the market was also underpinned by investor purchases of stocks before they go ex-dividend on Monday. The broader Topix .TOPX rose 1.2 percent to 1,381.85 and the JPX-Nikkei Index 400 .JPXNK400 gained 1.2 percent to 12,482.88. -Reuters