Japan's key Nikkei index closed Thursday at its highest level in about 10 months on upbeat corporate earnings, recovering national industrial output and a weaker yen.

The benchmark Nikkei-225 index ended up 51.97 points, or 0.51 percent, from Wednesday to 10,165.21. It marked the benchmark index's highest close since Oct. 6 when it closed at 10,473.09.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was up 6.58 points, or 0.71 percent, to 936.94, extending gains for the 10th straight session in its longest rally since August 2004.