TOKYO, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average rose to its highest level in nearly eight months on Thursday after the dollar jumped against the yen following surprisingly strong data on U.S. private-sector jobs that added to evidence the U.S. economy is on a recovery path.
The ADP Employer Services report showed U.S. private employers added 297,000 jobs in December, the largest increase on record and exceeding market expectations for a gain of 100,000.
The benchmark Nikkei <.N225> was up 1 percent or 106.48 points at 10,491.91.
The broader Topix index <.TOPX> gained 1 percent to 920.74. (Reporting by Antoni Slodkowski; Editing by Michael Watson)