Tokyo ends seven-session run of losses Tokyo stocks broke a seven-session losing streak on Thursday, posting modest gains on hopes for policy easing in China following first-quarter growth to be reported in Beijing on Friday. The FTSE Asia Pacific index was up 0.6 per cent to 239.35 in late Asian trade. Japan's main stock indicator climbed 0.7 per cent to 9,524.79, its first gain after seven sessions of losses. Traders said that after the Nikkei fell through the technical level of 9,500 buying was triggered to cover short positions. Metals groups climbed ahead of China's keenly awaited first-quarter growth data. Analysts said that a stronger number than the 8.4 per cent rise in gross domestic product expected would allay fears of a hard landing for the Chinese economy, while a weaker number may foster hopes that monetary easing will be unleashed to ensure growth does not slow too rapidly and fall below the 7.5 per cent annual target. Sumitomo Metal Mining climbed 4.1 per cent to Y152, while Nippon Steel gained 3 per cent to Y207 and Pacific Metals added 2.9 per cent to Y425. In Shanghai, the Composite index jumped 1.8 per cent, its biggest one-day rise in two months, to 2,350.9. This took its gains over the past three sessions to 2.9 per cent. Monetary easing hopes were boosted after local press reports in Shenzhen suggested the city would soon reveal policies aimed at supported economic growth. Mining and financial stocks were among the weightiest contributors to the overall gains. Brokerages climbed after the market regulator approved more overseas buyers of renminbi-denominated securities. Citic Securities, China's largest listed broker, climbed 4.1 per cent to Rmb12.99, while Haitong Securities added 4.4 per cent to Rmb10.22 and GF Securities rose 3.9 per cent to Rmb30.84. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index gained 0.9 per cent to 20,327.32, led also by its financial sector. Bank of China Hong Kong topped the index, up 3.5 per cent to HK$22.45. In Sydney, the S&P/ASX 200 index climbed 0.8 per cent to 4,280.64, led by Seven Group Holdings, the conglomerate, which jumped 5.4 per cent to A$10.34 as investors favoured its deal to buy the Bucyrus distribution and support business from Caterpillar of the US.