Japanese shares soared on Wednesday for the second consecutive day of rise as market sentiment was bolstered by overnight gains on Wall Street and better-than-estimated Chinese economic data, dpa reported. The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 420.87 points, or 3.01 per cent, to end at 14,417.68 while the broader-based Topix index was up 30.46 points, or 2.68 per cent, at 1,166.55. Exporters traded higher as the yen fell against major currencies. A weaker yen makes Japanese goods more competitive overseas and improves repatriated revenues. The Chinese government said on Wednesday China's economic growth slowed to 7.4 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of this year, but slightly higher than many forecasts. In Tokyo, on currency markets at 3 pm (0600 GMT), the dollar traded at 102.25-29 yen, up from Tuesday's 5 pm quote of 101.79-80 yen. The euro was quoted at 141.38-41 yen, up from 140.48-49 yen late Tuesday, and at 1.3828-3829 dollars, up from 1.3800-3802 dollars.
