TOKYO, June 12 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei stock average surged to close above 10,000 on Friday for the first time in eight months as upbeat data from Japan and China fed hopes for global economic recovery, leading to broad-based buying. Nomura Holdings climbed more than 5 percent after Merrill Lynch upgraded it to "buy" from "neutral", saying in a report that Japan's largest brokerage was likely to turn profitable in the next financial year.
The benchmark Nikkei rose 1.6 percent or 154.49 points to 10,135.82, its highest close since October 7, for its third straight week of gains. The broader Topix rose 1.1 percent to 950.54. (Reporting by Elaine Lies)