TOKYO, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average hit its highest point in 10 months on Friday, with investor confidence further reinforced after Western Europe's two largest economies reported a surprising return to growth in the second quarter.
In a light news week due to the summer holiday season in Tokyo, rating changes by brokerages dominated moves in the market.
Trend Micro jumped after Nomura Securities hiked its rating on the maker of computer antivirus software to "buy" from "neutral," while Hitachi Construction Machinery surged after Mitsubishi UFJ Securities raised its rating.
The benchmark Nikkei rose 1.1 percent or 110.44 points to 10,627.63, after climbing as far as 10,630.38, its highest level since Oct. 6.
The broader Topix added 0.7 percent to 975.43. (Reporting by Aiko Hayashi)