Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 0.4 percent on Thursday, boosted by energy shares such as Nippon Oil after crude jumped over 4 percent on a fall in U.S. stockpiles, renewing hopes of economic recovery.

Trading houses such as Mitsubishi Corp gained after metals prices rose in tandem with oil. The benchmark Nikkei rose 38.65 points to 10,242.65, a day after hitting a three-week closing low, while the broader Topix gained 0.4 percent to 946.87.

(Reporting by Elaine Lies)

Nikkei 225 Japan