TOKYO, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average rose 0.8 percent to a six-month high on Friday, after a stream of positive U.S. retail and housing data raised hopes for a swift recovery in the world's biggest economy.
Data showed U.S. retailers reported higher-than-forecast sales for November, while the four-week moving average for initial weekly claims for jobless benefits fell to a fresh two-year low, although new requests rose for the week.
An easing of concerns over the euro zone debt crisis also supported Tokyo shares.
The Nikkei extended Thursday's gains, climbing 0.8 percent at one point to 10,254.00. The broader Topix index gained 0.7 percent to 883.42. (Reporting by Antoni Slodkowski; Editing by Edmund Klamann)