TOKYO, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average held onto recent gains on Friday as U.S. retail and housing data raised hopes for a swifter recovery in the world's biggest economy while concerns about Europe's debt crisis eased.
Stronger-than-expected November same-store sales from U.S. retailers, a sharp jump in pending home sales, and a better labour market became the latest signs that the U.S. economic recovery is on track and a double-dip recession less likely.
The Nikkei ended flat holding on to its Thursday's gains of almost 2 percent, adding 0.1 percent or 9.8 points to 10,178.32 in light trade.
At one stage it hit a six-month intraday high of 10,254.00 but gave up earlier gains on profit-taking, market players said.
The broader Topix index was 0.2 percent higher at 879.22. (Reporting by Antoni Slodkowski; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)